"Doctoral Researcher in Industrial Wood Construction"

We are currently seeking a skilled and highly motivated Doctoral Researcher interested in conducting research related to wood construction and structures. This position—Doctoral Researcher in Industrial Wood Construction—is a collaborative opportunity between Aalto University’s Department of Civil Engineering and XAMK (University of Applied Sciences) in Savonlinna. The candidate may be based either in Espoo or Savonlinna. If based in Espoo, periodic travel to Savonlinna is expected. The position offers full-time employment from Aalto for the full four-year duration of the doctoral studies.

The research topics are not strictly defined and should leverage the research facilities available at both Aalto and Savonlinna (Industrial Wood Construction and Technical Testing Laboratory – XAMK: https://www.xamk.fi/en/rdi/focus-areas/forest-the-environment-and-energy/fiberlaboratory/industrial-wood-construction-and-technical-testing-laboratory/).

In general, this position is part of a broader initiative to advance sustainable, high-performance wood construction through innovative materials engineering and industrialized building techniques. Potential research topics include characterization of wood materials, particularly their mechanical properties, development of engineered wood products (e.g., CLT, LVL, GLT) and hybrid materials, strength grading, statistical and probabilistic modelling of mechanical behaviour, and/or development of wood construction technologies and industrial processes. The specific research topic(s) will be defined in collaboration with the supervising professor. Collaboration with the wood construction industry and related companies is expected.

The successful candidate should have:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Wood Science, or a related discipline
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English
• Experience conducting independent research and working effectively in a team

Additional skills and knowledge in the following areas are highly desirable:

• Structural mechanics
• Timber structural engineering
• Material testing
• Wood science and technology
• Statistics

The initial contract period is 2 years, with a possibility of extension. There will be a compulsory midterm review which will be completed during the second year. More info here. The applicant for doctoral studies must satisfy the admission requirements of Aalto University: Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering. The starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is €2,960/month, with increases based on progress in the doctoral studies. The contract includes occupational health benefits and a holiday bonus. Finland offers a comprehensive social security system. The position can begin as soon as possible, with flexibility to agree on a later start date.

Please submit your application through our online system by September 15, 2025. The application should be submitted as a single PDF and must include:

1. A letter of motivation explaining how your background and expertise align with the position
2. A curriculum vitae, including contact details for two references
3. A copy of your Master’s degree certificate and a transcript of your studies

For additional information, please contact Professor of Practice, Steven Collins and matters related to the recruitment process contact HR Partner Merja Seppänen. E-mails: Merja.Seppänen@aalto.fi.