PhD in Real Estate Economics

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto University in Espoo invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Real Estate Economics within the Real Estate Research Group of the School of Engineering. The position focuses on strategic asset management and sustainable transition, with collaboration with UP‑STOCK project partners and stakeholders.

You will conduct doctoral research, publish findings, and complete 30 ECTS of doctoral coursework while engaging with industry partners and pursuing funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as real estate economics, construction economics, business administration and management, building technology, quantity surveying or property management with excellent study success.
• Excellent collaboration skills for working with company and university partners; willingness to visit the campus as needed.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English.
• Skills in Finnish are seen as an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct doctoral research in strategic asset management and sustainable transition; publishing and communicating findings (e.g., reports, articles, conference presentations).
• Teaching and/or assisting in Real Estate courses (10% of work time).
• Participating in applying research funding.

Skills

Collaboration skills

English writing/presentation

Finnish (asset)

Education

Master’s degree in real estate economics / related field

Job description

Application closes on Unit Job category Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

The School of Engineering drives science and innovation in industrial and built environment technologies. We are committed to educating a new generation of experts who combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of sustainable development in shaping societies. Our research focuses on sustainable built environment, mechanics and materials, multidisciplinary energy technology, and design and implementation of technical systems. The strength of our school lies in close collaboration with stakeholders across research and education.

About 45 doctoral candidates and 350 master’s students graduate from the school every year. The school is home to 700 staff members, including 70 professors. To learn more, please visit eng.aalto.fi.

Real Estate Research Group at Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment invites applications for Doctoral Researcher in Real Estate Economics

We are seeking an excellent doctoral researcher to join the Real Estate Research Group. The position is rooted in strategic asset management and sustainable transition, primary from the perspective of real estate owner, investor and service provider. In this position, the doctoral researcher will develop profitable transition pathways to extend the technical, functional, and financial lifespans of residential buildings and portfolios. The work includes analysing building‑level technical transition costs and developing new business, financing, and implementation models, such as servitisation, crowdfunding, assets digitalisation and other instruments. The doctoral researcher will work on a project called UP‑STOCK (Formulating Just Transition Paths for the Housing Stock). UP‑STOCK is a co‑research initiative financed by Kone Oyj, Avain Yhtiöt Oy, Helsingin kaupungin asunnot Oy, Haahtela Oy, OP Kiinteistösijoitus Oy, kaukora Oy, Business Finland, and Aalto university. The project offers collaboration opportunities with key industry stakeholders, and the research community with our international partner universities.

The Real Estate Research Group has around twenty researchers (doctoral researchers and postdocs) from all fields of Real Estate, including Economic Law, Land Management, Sustainable Real Estate Business, Real Estate Economics and Valuation, and Real Estate Management.

Conduct doctoral research in strategic asset management and sustainable transition; publishing and communicating findings (e.g., reports, articles, conference presentations); and completing 30 ECTS of doctoral coursework

• Close collaboration and co-development with the UP‑STOCK project partners and stakeholders
• Teaching and/or assisting in Real Estate courses (10% of work time)
• Participating in applying research funding

Your experience and ambitions

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as real estate economics, construction economics, business administration and management, building technology, quantity surveying or property management with excellent study success.
• Excellent collaboration skills for working with company and university partners; willingness to visit and work on the campus of the university partner as needed.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English.
• Skills in Finnish are seen as an asset.

2-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of an extension following a successful midterm review: https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-engineering/midterm-review-of-doctoral-studies-eng

The starting salary for a doctoral researcher is €3,143/month, with the salary increasing as the research and studies progress.

The annual working time is 1612 hours.

We hope that the person selected to the position will be able to start as soon as possible, and no later than 1 January 2027.

Required application documents (in a single pdf-file):

• One-page motivation letter explaining why you wish to pursue doctoral research and how your background prepares you for this position
• Transcript of the study records
• Recommendation letters if possible

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, to extend the application period, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period. For more information about the role, please contact Associate Prof. Tuuli Jylhä ([e-mail]) and Prof. Seppo Junnila ([e-mail]). For questions related to the application process, please contact our HR team at [e-mail].

General information about doctoral studies at Aalto University can be found: https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-studies

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: This is Aalto University! Aalto University – Towards a better world and Shaping a Sustainable Future. Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto and check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi

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