[Job-offers-cs] Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive Urbanism (Aalto University)
Pekka Orponen
pekka.orponen at aalto.fi
Sat Sep 13 19:48:48 EEST 2025
Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive
Urbanism
29.8.2025
Application closes on
15.10.2025
Unit
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Job category
Other teaching and research personnel
/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 in Computational Design for Climate-Adaptive
Urbanism/*
*/School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Department of Architecture/*
/*Location:* Otaniemi Campus, Espoo, Finland/
*Join an international Horizon Europe project and support Aalto’s
research growth through grant development in computational desing in the
field of urbanism and landscape architecture.*
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Computational
Design team at the Department of Architecture at Aalto University. This
2.3-year position offers a rare opportunity to combine hands-on research
in a major EU Horizon Europe project with strategic support for new
research initiatives at Aalto. You will contribute to the Horizon Europe
project UTOPIZE, which explores the co-creation of sustainable,
inclusive, and aesthetically engaging public spaces under the New
European Bauhaus framework. At the same time, you will play a key role
in preparing competitive grant applications and expanding Aalto’s
research portfolio in computational design for climate-adaptive
urbanism. The position thus bridges cutting-edge EU
research with future-oriented academic development, offering
international visibility and active engagement with leading partners
across Europe.
*Your role and goals*
As a Postdoctoral Researcher you will:
* Lead and facilitate international cross-sectoral design workshops in
collaboration with project partners.
* Develop and deploy AI-enhanced visualization tools and digital
dashboards to support participatory engagement.
* Integrate environmental, spatial, and social data into digital twin
models for scenario testing and policy simulation.
* Adapt co-design methods to local contexts in demonstrator sites
(Portugal, Sweden, Italy).
* Contribute to policy recommendations, design briefs, and
dissemination materials.
* Participate in international travels and consortium meetings.
* Publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at leading
conferences, exhibitions, and stakeholder events.
* Assist in preparing grant applications for national and
international funding opportunities (EU, ERC, NordForsk, Academy of
Finland, etc.).
* Collaborate on computational design research projects, with focus
areas such as data-driven design, immersive collaborative
environments, and generative AI.
* Contribute creatively to expanding Aalto’s research initiatives in
computational design for climate-adaptive urbanism.
*Your network and team*
You will work closely with Professor Dr. Pia Fricker
(https://research.aalto.fi/en/persons/prof-dr-pia-fricker), whose
professorship in Computational Design advances generative and immersive
design methods by integrating geospatial intelligence to address
sustainability challenges in urban and landscape systems. Her research
group has an established track record in international collaboration and
EU-funded projects, and maintains close links with leading academic and
professional partners worldwide. The position is based in the Department
of Architecture at Aalto University, which offers a vibrant,
interdisciplinary environment bridging architecture, landscape, and
urbanism with emerging technologies and sustainability research
*Your experience and ambitions*
We are seeking a candidate with:
Educational background
* PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Computational Design,
Computer Science, Urbanism, or a closely related field.
* Specialization in computational design methodologies, data-driven
design, and/or immersive technologies.
Professional qualifications/skills
* Experience in grant writing and familiarity with competitive funding
landscapes.
* Track record of high-quality research publications and contributions
to international conferences.
* Experience working in international, interdisciplinary projects;
EU-funded project experience is an advantage.
Technical skills
* Proficiency in computational design tools (e.g., Grasshopper, Rhino,
Python).
* Familiarity with immersive environments (Unity, Unreal Engine).
* Experience with AI-driven visualization workflows (generative
models, real-time dashboards).
* Data analysis and geospatial tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, remote sensing).
* Visualization and communication tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Blender).
Language & other skills
* Excellent written and spoken English.
* Finnish or Swedish not required but considered an advantage.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, proactive mindset,
and ability to manage multiple tasks independently.
*What we offer *
* A full-time, fixed-term position for 2.3 years (starting December
2025, or as soon as possible thereafter).
* Monthly salary starting from approx. €4,070, depending on experience
and qualifications.
* Opportunity to play a leading role in a Horizon Europe project
(UTOPIZE) while also shaping future research initiatives.
* Funded travel to project workshops and partner meetings in Europe.
* Access to state-of-the-art facilities, including UAVs, terrestrial
laser scanning equipment, immersive VR/AR labs (MAGICS
infrastructure <https://studios.aalto.fi/magics/>), and
computational design studios for immersive data simulation.
* Supportive, diverse, and inclusive research culture.
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 start *no later than December 2025*. Your
application should include:
* A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your interest in the
position and how your background fits the role.
* Publication list.
* 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 <https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto>
*For further information on the position:* Associate Prof. Dr. Pia
Fricker (firstname.lastname at aalto.fi)
*For questions related to the application process:* hr-arch at aalto.fi
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.
Want to know more about us and your future colleagues/? /You can watch
these videos:
This is Aalto University! <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8zawpNMVG8>
Aalto University – Towards a better world
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k_og_6zUJQ>
and Shaping a Sustainable Future
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6pDWm1_CE>.
Read more about working at Aalto:
/https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/
<https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto>
Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi
*About Finland*
Finland is a safe, politically stable, and well-organized Nordic
society, consistently ranked among the world’s most livable countries.
It offers a high quality of life, excellent education, and a strong
social security system. Finland has been ranked the happiest country in
the world for several consecutive years World Happiness Report 2025
<https://worldhappiness.report/news/world-happiness-report-2025-people-are-much-kinder-than-we-expect-research-shows/>
For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for
International Staff
<https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff>.
More about Aalto University:
Aalto.fi <https://www.aalto.fi/en/open-positions>
youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity
<https://www.youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity>
linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/
<https://www.linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/>
www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity <https://www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity>
instagram.com/aaltouniversity <https://instagram.com/aaltouniversity>
To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here
<http://www.aalto.fi/en/services/workday-recruiting-system-accessibility-interaction-overview>.
Please see more of our Open Positions here.
<http://www.aalto.fi/en/open-positions>
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