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), 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
For further information on the position: Associate Prof. Dr. Pia Fricker (firstname.lastname@aalto.fi)
For questions related to the application process: hr-arch@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.
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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
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Please refer the Job description for details