4 doctoral researchers for robotics

Future robots must be able to perceive, predict, communicate, and make decisions reliably in complex environments shared by humans and robots. The Mobile Robotics ( https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-electrical-engineering-and-automation/mobile-robotics ) and Intelligent Robotics ( https://irobotics.aalto.fi ) groups at Aalto University's School of Electrical Engineering develop autonomy under conditions of imperfect information and uncertain sensing, emphasizing safe operation among humans, socially aware perception and behavior prediction, as well as semantic and dynamic environmental understanding. Our research environment offers close collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners, access to state-of-the-art robot platforms, full-scale industrial sites, multi-sensor laboratories, and advanced network testbeds. The teams are highly international and the working language is English.

We are seeking excellent candidates for doctoral researcher positions to participate in four recently funded research openings:

Safe autonomy of mobile robots in shared industrial environments We are looking for an excellent doctoral student to develop perception, prediction, and planning methods that enable the safe operation of autonomous machines in industrial spaces shared by humans and robots. The research models the movement of humans and machines in dynamic environments, supporting human perception and tracking, space-time mapping, long-term human motion prediction, and planning under uncertainty. Methodological focus includes probabilistic modeling, SLAM/localization, space-time representations, and decision-making under uncertainty. The work is part of the Autonomy without Fences (AwF, 2026–2029) project and is validated in real-world sites (ports, underground mines, logistics terminals) in collaboration with Kalmar, Normet, Sandvik, and KWH Logistics. Supervisor: Assistant Professor Tomasz Kucner ( tomasz.kucner@aalto.fi )

Semantic communication for mission-critical robotics We are looking for an excellent doctoral student to co-design task-aware perception and next-generation wireless networks so that robots exchange meaning rather than raw data. The research investigates what information a robot needs for coordination and feeds this into network design. Methodological focus includes multi-robot coordination, task-aware perception and representations, semantic and goal-oriented communication, and NextG mechanisms (e.g., network slicing, time-sensitive networking). The work is funded by a Finland–USA joint project in collaboration with MIT, Stevens Institute, and Nokia Bell Labs, and pilots are implemented with leading Finnish companies. Supervisor: Assistant Professor Tomasz Kucner ( tomasz.kucner@aalto.fi )

Distributed situational awareness and semantic scene understanding We are looking for an excellent doctoral student to co-design edge and centralized intelligence for critical situational awareness in dynamic environments. You will build real-time semantic 3D models among heterogeneous sensors and robots, deciding what is inferred locally and what is aggregated centrally, how semantics are communicated efficiently, and how the model state is updated, queried, and predicted as conditions change. The research focuses on multimodal perception (vision-language models), probabilistic state estimation, and 3D mapping/SLAM, as well as graph-based representations (scene/knowledge graphs). The work is funded by a Finland–USA joint project in collaboration with MIT, Stevens Institute, and Nokia Bell Labs, and pilots are implemented with leading Finnish companies. Supervisors: FT Francesco Verdoja ( francesco.verdoja@aalto.fi ) and Prof. Ville Kyrki ( ville.kyrki@aalto.fi )

Socially aware perception and behavior prediction We are looking for an excellent doctoral student to develop socially aware perception and behavior prediction methods for autonomous systems operating in dynamic environments shared with humans. The research investigates how autonomous systems can combine sensory information with contextual and behavioral cues to understand human actions, predict future behavior, and perform reasoning under uncertainty. Methodological focus includes machine learning, computer vision, multimodal perception, probabilistic modeling, and explainable AI. The research is conducted in collaboration with leading national and international academic partners and is validated in real and simulated autonomous system scenarios. Supervisors: FT Farzeen Munir (PI, farzeen.munir@aalto.fi ) and Prof. Ville Kyrki ( ville.kyrki@aalto.fi )

What we expect from you

Requirements:

MSc/Dipl.Eng (or equivalent) in robotics, telecommunications/electrical engineering, computer science, control engineering, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, or applied mathematics;

strong analytical and writing skills;

solid programming and mathematics skills (Python/C++, ROS is considered an advantage);

fluent English.

Position-specific pluses: experience in mobile robot perception, SLAM, motion prediction, and field robotics, as well as readiness to work at industrial sites in Finland (Safe Autonomy); wireless telecommunication networks (5G/6G, slicing, TSN), information theory, and interest in how autonomy requirements shape NextG network design (Semantic Communication).

If you are selected for one of these positions, you will apply for doctoral studies in the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering doctoral program. Please review the student information and selection criteria at https://www.aalto.fi/fi/koulutustarjonta/sahkotekniikan-tohtoriohjelma .

What we offer

A paid position with employee benefits. The salary is based on the complexity of the task and individual performance in accordance with the salary system used in Finnish universities. The starting salary for a doctoral researcher is €3,143/month.

A fixed-term position following the school's standard 2+2 model for doctoral researchers. The contract is initially for two years, including a six-month probationary period, and is extended by another two years after a successful mid-term evaluation; the total duration is thus four years.

The start of the positions is as soon as possible.

Close collaboration with industry and leading international academic partners.

Access to full-scale platforms, operational sites, and network testbeds.

International exchange opportunities.

Ready to apply?

If you wish to apply, please submit your application via our recruitment page ("Apply now!" at the bottom of the page) no later than Wednesday, September 30, 2026 (23:59 EEST).

To apply, please provide the following application materials in English in PDF format:

a motivation letter

a curriculum vitae (CV) containing contact information for at least two referees

copies of your Bachelor's and Master's degree transcripts and certificates

Please indicate in the application form which position/positions you are interested in.

Please note that Aalto University employees must apply for positions through our internal HR system, Workday (Internal Jobs), using their existing Workday user account (not through the public open positions page). If you are an Aalto University student or visitor, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) through Aalto's open job vacancies.

Want to hear more about the positions? You can contact the individuals mentioned in the respective position descriptions. For questions regarding the application process, please contact HR Specialist Johanna Haapala ( hr-elec@aalto.fi ).

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos:

This is Aalto University! Aalto University – Towards a better world and Shaping a Sustainable Future .

Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto and explore the new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi .

More about Aalto University

At Aalto University, science and art meet technology and economics. We build a sustainable future by achieving breakthroughs in our key fields and at their intersections. At the same time, we inspire the change-makers of the future and create solutions to the world's great challenges. Our university community includes 16,000 students, 446 professors, and over 5,000 employees, representing a total of over 120 nationalities. Our campus is located in Otaniemi, Espoo. Diversity is part of us, and we work continuously to ensure the diversity and non-discrimination of our community. Therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to join our community.

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