[Job-offers-cs] Research Scientist (postdoc) in Scientific Machine Learning and Interpretable Physics-AI for Geosystems (GTK, Espoo Finland)

[Pekka Orponen]

    About the job

At GTK, we aim to work for the Earth and for Us. We conduct objective 
research to find solutions to challenges posed by climate change, the 
energy transition, and the circular economy. Our 400 experts are 
specialists in the mineral economy, green energy, water management, the 
environment, and digital solutions. Together with our Finnish and global 
partners, we are building sustainable and carbon-neutral future. GTK is 
a research organization governed by the Finnish Ministry of Employment 
and the Economy. www.gtk.fi/en

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*Research Scientist (postdoc) in Scientific Machine Learning and 
Interpretable Physics-AI for Geosystems*

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is looking for a research 
scientist in postdoctoral phase with strong knowledge of scientific 
machine learning (SciML), reactive transport modeling, or coupled 
subsurface process to work on a project within the Water and Mining 
Environment Solutions unit. Your office is in Espoo and you can also 
work remotely flexibly in Finland. Project offers the possibility for 
research visits abroad.

The position is funded by the Research Council of Finland (RCF) until 
the end of year 2028. Your assignment will be to work at the interface 
of process-based reactive transport modeling and advanced machine 
learning, with the goal of developing efficient and reliable surrogate 
models for highly nonlinear PDEs describing coupled groundwater 
contaminant transport dynamics and its mitigation in subsurface systems. 
You are expected to integrate suitable SciML methodologies with these 
groundwater transport models, and to contribute to the development, 
implementation, and validation of flexible hybrid modeling frameworks. 
This will involve working with neural operators and physics-informed 
neural networks (PINNs), as well as exploring and developing new SciML 
methodologies.

The project provides an opportunity to work on frontier research at the 
interface between AI, physics, and geoscience, with strong international 
visibility and collaboration opportunities. The work includes close 
collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and 
interaction with a doctoral researcher working within the same project. 
Furthermore, the project is supported by an active international 
collaboration network within several universities and offers extended 
scientific exchange with leading research groups abroad. You are 
expected to publish the project results in high-quality journals, and 
participate in scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars to 
present the outcomes of this project.

In the Water and Mining Environment Solutions unit, you are part of a 
group of around 50 experts working on groundwater research, 
hydrogeochemistry, groundwater flow and reactive transport modeling, 
mining environmental issues and water management. The position is 
located in a group focusing on mining environments and side streams. Our 
group is multi-locational and multinational work community and consists 
of 17 members.

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*Education, experience and skills expected of the applicant*

  * PhD in applied mathematics, computational science, computer science,
    hydrogeology, or in other relevant fields of science or engineering
    (Completed PhD is required before the start of employment*)
  * Background in scientific machine learning, neural operators, or
    physics-informed learning
  * Good publication record
  * Solid experience with deep learning libraries
  * Experience in PDE-based modeling, scientific computing or numerical
    methods
  * Fluent oral and written skills in English
  * Willingness to travel in Finland and abroad e.g. conferences,
    research visits for a couple of days or a week at a time or even
    extended scientific exchange for several weeks

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*Education, experience and skills that are appreciated*

  * Experience in reactive transport modeling
  * Experience in inverse problems, data assimilations, or
    uncertainty-aware modeling
  * Knowledge in numerical methods related to environmental or
    subsurface modeling
  * Interest in interpretable or physically constrained machine learning

* The candidates who have defended and are waiting for the PhD diploma 
as well as the candidates who have not yet formally defended their PhD 
but are expected to do so before the starting date are eligible and 
encouraged to apply.

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*Personal qualities desired from the applicant*

You are initiative, research-driven and act independently in your work. 
You are motivated to contribute high-impact and method-oriented 
research. You can seize opportunities quickly, want to learn new things, 
and know how to prioritise tasks. Working in a team comes naturally for 
you. You have good cooperation and networking skills.

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*What we offer*

GTK is an international and diverse work community where everyone’s 
input is valued. Our employees have the opportunity to influence their 
own work and work remotely in Finland. At GTK we are committed to renew 
our operations and expertise. We take care of our employees’ well-being 
with our wide range of activities that support wellbeing at work. In 
addition, we offer central government holiday benefits and a modern and 
multi-location work, such as flexible working hours. Find out more about 
us: www.gtk.fi/en/careers-at-gtk/

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*Information about pay*

The total salary at the beginning of employment will be EUR 4414-4704 
per month. The salary is determined by the competence of the person 
selected for the position.

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*Other details*

The position is fixed term. The starting date is 1.5.2026 or by 
agreement. The term ends on 31.12.2028. The position includes a 
probationary period. It is possible for GTK to terminate the employment 
contract before the end of the period if the project funding is 
transferred elsewhere or ends due to possible personnel changes (project 
funding is bound to the Principal Investigator of the project).

For further information, please contact your future scientific 
instructor and the project PI, Research Scientist (PhD) Hanli Qiao (tel. 
+358 50 348 6190, email: hanli.qiao at gtk.fi), reachable on Monday to 
Friday between 12-16 (EET) or your future supervisor, Team Manager Anna 
Tornivaara (tel. +358 50 347 1158, email: anna.tornivaara at gtk.fi), 
reachable on Thursdays between 12-14 and Fridays between 9-11 (EET).

We consciously advance the diversity and equality of our staff, so we 
encourage many kinds of people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our 
positions. Our work community is made up of more than 20 different 
nationalities, which is one example of our diversity.

Please send your application with your motivation letter and CV in 
English through the valtiolle.fi-service latest on 25.2.2026 at 16:15 
(EET), using service key 19151.

The interviews are scheduled to take place in early March.

We may conduct a personal background check on the person selected for 
the job with the person’s consent (security clearance act 726/2014). For 
more information about the security clearance process and the rights of 
subjects of background checks, please visit www.supo.fi/en

Please note that names of the applicants and the applications with 
attachments are public.


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