Call for Doctoral Track Programme student positions

The Doctoral Track Programme is a competitive research-oriented study Programme for exceptional Master’s students of Computer Science with interest towards a doctoral degree. The Programme provides an opportunity for the selected students to combine Master’s and doctoral studies according to a personalised study and research plan. The students selected to the Programme can start working towards their doctoral degree directly from the start of their Master’s studies and gain valuable research experience in the research groups of the Department of Computer Science. The Doctoral Track Programme comprises Master’s courses, Research Experience Projects, a Master’s thesis, and doctoral studies leading to an excellent dissertation.

During the Research Experience Projects students in the Programme will be employed by the Department of Computer Science as Research Assistants with part-time work contract. During their Master’s theses students will have possibility for a full-time contract in the supervisor’s research group, and for the eventual doctoral studies a full-time position with a 2 + 2 years contract. Study success is assessed at regular checkpoints, and contingent on good performance, timely progress and availability of supervisor resources, funding support is provided for the full length of Master’s and doctoral studies.

The present call is open for current students of Aalto University who:

1. Aim to complete their Master’s degree in the following majors:
   • Computer Science (Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences)
   • Game Design and Production (Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences) 
   • Human-Computer Interaction (Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences)
   • Machine Learning, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences)
   • Software and Service Engineering (Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences)
   • Bioinformatics and Digital Health (Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies)
   • Complex Systems (Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies)
2. Are eligible for Master’s studies the above-mentioned majors
   • Eligibility criteria for Master’s studies in the Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Science majors: https://into.aalto.fi/display/enccis/How+to+apply
   • Eligibility criteria for Master’s studies in the Master’s Programme in Life Science Technologies majors: https://into.aalto.fi/display/enlst/How+to+apply
3. Have recently completed or will complete their Bachelor’s degree at Aalto University by 31st of August 2021.

If you are already finishing your Master’s studies and are interested in doctoral studies, you can apply in the Competitive call for the Department’s doctoral student positions:

Competitive call for department’s co-funded doctoral student positions

As an alternative to the Doctoral Track Programme, top students are eligible to participate in the Computer Science Department’s Honours Programme:

Honours Programme in Computer Science

Instructions for applicants

How to apply:

Applications are invited for the call between 10th to 28th of May 2021. The application form will close on 28th of May at midnight Finnish time.

Doctoral Track Programme application electronic form

What is required in the application?

Application to the Doctoral Track Programme are submitted via the electronic recruitment system Saima. Please provide one single PDF file (submitted via the electronic application form) with the file name “lastname_firstname.pdf”. The PDF file should consist of the following sections and attachments, in the indicated order:

1. Motivation letter in English reflecting your commitment and intentions towards pursuing a doctoral degree, with concrete examples if possible.
2. Curriculum vitae indicating your complete study and employment history.
3. Personal study plan (“HOPS”) for Master’s studies (for the application phase, can be later tailored if student is accepted to the Doctoral Track). Can be either printed out from WebOodi/Sisu or provided as a written document where the courses are clearly listed.

4. An up-to-date transcript of studies (unofficial transcript from WebOodi/Sisu is sufficient). Bachelor’s thesis course (SCI3027.kand / JOIN.BSc) marked as completed.

5. Bachelor’s thesis evaluation statement, if available.

Evaluation criteria:

1. Study success as defined by the general GPA of courses. Study credits obtained prior to 31st of May 2021, are eligible.
2. Good/timely progress on studies as indicated by the amount of study credits per semester. Programme is intended for recent B.Sc. graduates who meet the eligibility conditions.
3. Motivation letter.
4. Bachelor’s thesis evaluation statement, if available.

Call schedule

10th of May 2021 – Call opens
28th of May 2021 midnight Finnish time – Call closes
1st of June – 18th of June 2021 – Evaluation period
End of June 2021– Selection announcements

If you are interested in the program and want to learn more, please join our Doctoral Track student seminar on Friday 21st of May at 10-11 to hear Doctoral Track journey stories by our students. For further information of the program and invitation to the Doctoral Track seminar, please contact:
[email protected]