Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Enhanced Adaptive Design for Dynamic Landscapes

Aalto University; Finland; On-site; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Finland seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher for the ADAPT project, focusing on AI-enhanced adaptive design for environmental challenges. The position offers a 3-year fixed-term contract with a competitive salary of €4,200 per month. Candidates should have a doctoral degree and proven expertise in AI techniques. This role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and involves fieldwork in challenging environments.

Benefits

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

International research visits

Mentorship in academic leadership

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in AI/ML/DL techniques for generative or analytical purposes.
• Experience in publishing and presenting in international academic forums.
• Excellent English skills (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of AI-enhanced adaptive design tools.
• Design, test, and document computational frameworks.
• Collaborate closely with the PhD researcher to connect data analysis.

Skills

Computational design and 3D/4D modeling

Point cloud processing

Immersive simulation environments

AI/ML/DL techniques

Interdisciplinary project coordination

Education

Doctoral degree in architecture, computational design, or related field

Tools

Rhino/Grasshopper

CloudCompare

Autodesk ReCap

Unity

Blender

Job description

Organisation/Company AALTO UNIVERSITY Research Field Architecture Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Finland Application Deadline 15 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 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.

Postdoctoral Researcher:AI-Enhanced Adaptive Design for Dynamic Landscapes

School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Department of Architecture

Location:Otaniemi Campus, Espoo, Finland

Join a cutting-edge research environment where architecture, landscape architecture, and artificial intelligence meet to address complex environmental challenges.

About the Project

TheAdaptive Design for AI-Driven Processes in Transforming Dynamic Landscapes (ADAPT)project develops scalable, data-driven design methodologies that transform dynamic environmental processes, such as sedimentation, meltwater flow, and vegetation change, into active drivers of adaptive design. This interdisciplinary work combines advanced computational tools, including 4D point cloud modeling and state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning techniques (such as generative adversarial networks), with empirical fieldwork in Norwegian glacier environments.

As a Postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in advancing AI-enhanced adaptive design tools, immersive simulations, and computational workflows that redefine how we design for climate-driven environmental change. You will collaborate with world-leading partners including ETH Zurich, MIT Media Lab, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Your role and goal

As a Postdoctoral Researcher in the ADAPT project, you will:

• Lead the development ofAI-enhanced adaptive design toolsand interactive simulation environments that integrate environmental data with generative design workflows.
• Design, test, and document computational frameworks that combine4D point cloud data, geospatial analysis, and advanced ML/DL algorithms.
• Integrate dynamic environmental datasets into immersive and interactive prototypes for scenario testing and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate closely with the PhD researcher to connect environmental data analysis with computational design innovation.
• Participate infieldworkin Norwegian glacier environments to collect and validate site-specific data.
• Contribute to international research visits to ETH Zurich, MIT Media Lab, and NMBU.
• Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at leading conferences, exhibitions, and stakeholder events.
• Mentor junior researchers and support the interdisciplinary growth of the research team.

Your network and team

You will be based in the Department of Architecture at Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus, working within an interdisciplinary research environment. Your main collaborators will include:

• Principal Investigator (PI): Prof. Pia Fricker, specialist in computational design and adaptive landscape and territorial systems.
• ADAPT PhD researcher, focusing on environmental data analysis and prototype development.
• International partners atETH Zurich,MIT Media Lab, andNMBU, providing expertise in geospatial modeling, immersive technologies, and glacial environmental dynamics.

Your experience and ambitions

We welcome candidates from diverse academic backgrounds, including architecture, computational design, computer science, or related fields, who have a proven track record of applying advanced computational methods to real-world environmental challenges.

• Adoctoral degreein architecture, landscape architecture, computational design, computer science, or a closely related field, completed before the position start date.
• Proven expertisein AI/ML/DL techniques for generative or analytical purposes (e.g., generative adversarial networks, convolutional neural networks, diffusion models, or other emerging methods), with evidence of application in research or professional projects.
• Strong proficiency in the following areas, and the ability to integrate them into complex workflows:
  • Computational design and 3D/4D modeling (e.g., Rhino/Grasshopper, Phyton, Unity, Blender).
  • Point cloud processing (e.g., CloudCompare, Autodesk ReCap) and/or GIS.
  • Immersive simulation environments and interactive design tools.
• Experiencecoordinatinginterdisciplinary research projects.
• Experience in publishing and presenting in international academic forums.
• Willingness to participate in fieldwork in potentially challenging environments.
• Excellent English skills (written and spoken).

What we offer

• Afull-time, fixed-term positionof 3 years.
• Monthly salary of €4,200.
• The opportunity to work on a high-impact, international research project addressing urgent climate adaptation challenges.
• Funded research visits to ETH Zurich, and NMBU, and participation in fieldwork in Norwegian glacier environments.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including UAVs, terrestrial laser scanning equipment, immersive VR/AR labs (MAGICS infrastructure ), and computational design studios for immersive data simulation.
• Mentoring in academic leadership, research innovation, and career development.
• A vibrant, international campus in Otaniemi with excellent public transport connections, green surroundings, and an active research community.

Our wide range of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn, participating actively in diverse research trainings based on your interests and needs. Life on campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services.

How to Apply

Please submit your application through our recruitment site (“Apply now!”)no later than 23:59 (EET) on 15 October 2025. We aim for the selected candidate to startno later than January 2026. Your application should include:

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your interest in the position and how your background fits the role.
• Your CV, including contact information for two referees.
• Relevant degree certificates and academic transcripts.
• A portfolio or selection of publications that best demonstrate your research and computational design skills.

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions

We will review applications as they arrive and may invite suitable candidates for interviews during the application period. You will hear from us no later than the second week of November 2025. We aim for a transparent and equal recruitment process, so feel free to request feedback.

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