"Two Assistant professor positions in Computational Physics"

The Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University School of Science invites applications for Two Assistant professor positions in Computational Physics.

The positions are open to talented individuals who hold a doctorate in physics or a closely related field and have excellent potential for a productive scientific career. We are looking for highly qualified experts who have demonstrated outstanding research in one of two key areas the department wishes to develop:

• Condensed matter, including quantum, magnetic and photonic materials.
• Soft materials, including active and living matter.

We are open to a wide variety of computational methodologies, including atomistic, molecular and mesoscale level particle-based techniques, continuum modeling, statistical approaches and machine learning. The successful candidates are expected to lead an outstanding independent research program that complements and extends the existing research efforts at the Department of Applied Physics and can utilize local computational infrastructure. The nominated candidates are expected to take responsibility for education in this field at Aalto University. Within the Aalto University tenure track system, the evaluation of Assistant Professors is based on demonstrated merits and potential.

Your experience

Throughout their career, those in the academic tenure track system are expected to exercise and guide scientific research, to provide related higher academic education, to follow advances in their field, to participate in service to the Aalto University community, and to take part in societal interaction and international collaboration in their field. We seek applicants who have

• A doctorate in a field closely related to this position;
• Potential to carry out research and attract research funding at the highest level;
• Potential to collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment;
• Potential to take responsibility for education and researcher training in physics;
• Ability to be an effective teacher in the undergraduate and graduate degree programmes of the School of Science.

The applicants will be evaluated based on their potential and demonstrated ability in research, teaching, academic leadership, and activities in the scientific community, including in R&D.

Candidates applying to this call are considered for Assistant Professor positions only. The selected applicant must have completed their doctoral degree before starting in the position. Applicants with more than ten years of research experience after their doctoral degree (excluding relevant career breaks) are not considered early-career and should look for more advanced positions. A more detailed description of the tenure track system at Aalto University is available at www.aalto.fi/en/tenure-track. Each individual to be appointed to tenure track needs to demonstrate fluency in English, in order to be able to carry out their duties successfully.

Aalto University is committed to promoting diversity, equality and non-discrimination in all its activities. Thus, we promote equal opportunities to learn, acquire knowledge, participate and to make a difference. As an equal-opportunity employer, Aalto University founds its recruitment decisions on applicants’ competencies, skills and aptitudes. Aalto’s recruitment processes are clearly defined, transparent and fair, and allow the relevant areas to be emphasized when recruiting people to positions in the various career systems and levels. Career breaks due to periods of parental leave and other obligatory absences, such as military service, will be taken into account to your benefit when considering applications.

What we offer

The professor will join an inspiring and supportive work community of experienced Professionals, motivated students and well-functioning support services. We will offer a negotiable start-up package. Besides, the successful candidates will have access to an advanced research infrastructure for computational physics, including Triton high-performance computing cluster (scicomp.aalto.fi/triton/), CSC – IT Center for Science (www.csc.fi) and the LUMI supercomputer (www.lumi-supercomputer.eu/about-lumi/).

Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities, but applicants may also provide salary requirements. As an employer, Aalto University provides excellent staff training and mentoring programmes as well as occupational health care services and campus sport facilities. In addition, we offer extensive research support services such as grant writing and project management. The position will be located at the Aalto University Otaniemi Campus.

For more information

For additional information, please contact the Chair of the tenure track committee, Professor Mikko Alava, or in questions related to the recruitment process HR Partner Lotta Maltolahti. Emails: firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.

Ready to apply?

Please apply to the position through Aalto University electronic recruitment system by January 9, 2026 (before midnight Finnish time). The application material for the tenure track position includes

• Cover letter (max one page)
• Curriculum Vitae; Please find here the template (opens in new window) recommended by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK). Include a list of publications in which the 10 most significant publications/patents are highlighted
• A research portfolio (recommended length: two to six pages). This is a concise self-reflection on the merits, long-term vision, and research plan of the candidate. The portfolio is narrative text, supported by fact-based evidence.
• Teaching statement (recommended length: two to four pages)

General instructions for applicants including language requirements and guidelines for compiling research portfolio and CV are at Interested in joining our tenure track? | Aalto University.

All material should be submitted in English and must be enclosed as a single standard pdf file with file name “lastname_firstname_application.pdf”. The first document of the pdf file is the cover letter, followed by the appendices in the order given in the list above.

If you already work at Aalto University or are a visitor here, please apply for the position by using your existing Workday user account! Please see how to do it here.