Assistant professor, Space Technology

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. 

Aalto University is the cradle of Finnish New Space and the hub of space technology innovation. The university has already developed and launched five satellites. Aalto University is in the center of New Space innovation ecosystem, our spin-off companies are shaping the New Space economy worldwide. Aalto operates ESA Business Incubator Center, ESA Phi-Lab and works in close collaboration with rapidly growing industry.

The Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering at the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering invites applications for the position of

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY

We wish to recruit an ambitious scientist and innovator to strengthen and expand our Space Technology focus and to support the continued growth of the Aalto Space Technology ecosystem. We seek a passionate and visionary space technologist — someone ready to bring disruptive ideas and lead research in areas supporting our strong portfolio of small satellite missions, scientific instrumentation, microwave Earth Observation instruments, in-orbit reliability, radiation tolerance, LEO and VLEO missions, electronics and IC development and RF technologies.

Your role and goals

In this position, you will:

• Conduct high-level research in one or more areas of space technology (e.g., satellite engineering, scientific instruments, space plasma, space weather, LEO and VLEO missions, autonomous space systems, or Earth Observation and communication technologies).
• Lead and develop new research initiatives aligned with Aalto’s strategic focus on sustainable, resilient, and cutting-edge space technology.
• Contribute to Aalto’s growing portfolio of space missions and experiments, enabling new concepts from VLEO to deep-space.
• Collaborate with industry partners and European agencies to strengthen Aalto’s role at the forefront of New Space innovation.
• Supervise students and contribute to teaching at the Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering. You will be teaching at the B.Sc., M.Sc. and doctoral levels. Typically, teaching accounts for 30% of working time.
• Strengthen the international Aalto Space Campus ecosystem.
• Bring fresh ideas, energy, and a collaborative mindset to a rapidly growing sector in Finland.

Scientific environment

Aalto University is a central hub of the Finnish space ecosystem. Most Finnish satellites have been developed on the Otaniemi campus area. Aalto University Space ecosystem has produced significant space-related spin-off companies with worldwide impact. Aalto is deeply embedded in the European space innovation network through the ESA Phi-Lab and the ESA Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Finland.

You will join the Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering at Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. The department’s research areas include integrated circuit design, microwave engineering, electromagnetics, space science and technology as well as photonics and nanotechnology. Our researchers in IC design work with sensor interface electronics, energy harvesters, RF/MM/analogue/DSP ICs for wireless, radars, antennas, and related electronics. In these fields, our researchers work in close collaboration with several national and international leading research institutes and companies.

The department hosts a well-equipped Small Satellite Laboratory, complete with a dedicated cleanroom, thermal vacuum chamber, environmental test facilities, and excellent laboratories for RF technologies, anechoic chamber testing, and advanced computational resources. Aalto is also an active partner in national Centre of Excellence in Space Resilience. Aalto has made or participated small satellite missions such as Aalto-1, Aalto-2, FORESAIL-1, FORESAIL-1 Prime, Suomi-100 and participates in international ESA missions such as JUICE, Bepi Colombo, Comet Interceptor, HERA and many others.  Aalto space team also works on microwave remote sensing, small satellite platforms, microwave EO radars, SAR interferometry and polarimetry, planetary plasmas, space weather, solar wind interactions, space environment modelling and simulations and radio astronomy. 

The department has excellent measurement facilities with a wide variety of measurement equipment. The equipment ranges from DSP and DC analysers to THz network analysers and anechoic chambers. The department also has cutting-edge design tools, comprehensively including IC technology design kits, EM simulators and DSP design tools.

Expected Competences and Qualifications

The applicant must have:

• A doctoral degree in space technology, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or a closely related field.
• Strong research experience in one or more relevant areas of space technology mentioned above.
• A well-established publication record, demonstrating international scientific impact.
• Potential to lead an independent research group, evidenced by early-career achievements, research vision, or emerging leadership experience.
• Ability to teach in relevant areas of space technology and to supervise MSc and doctoral students.
• Excellent command of English, as it is the working language at Aalto University.

In addition to the minimum requirements, these are considered as an advantage:

• Postdoctoral experience: in an internationally recognized research environment.
• Mission & Technical Experience: Demonstrated experience in space missions, experiments, payload development, CubeSats, or satellite platform technologies; practical experience with laboratory or field testing (for example environmental testing, RF measurements, plasma diagnostics, remote sensing, or flight hardware).
• Experience in acquiring research funding, such as national or EU-level competitive grants.
• Experience in supervising students, mentoring researchers, or coordinating research teams.
• Demonstrated interest in cross-disciplinary innovative research, for example involving electronics, scientific instrumentation, computational methods, plasma physics, materials, sustainability, or AI.

What we offer

Aalto University offers an inspiring environment for an academic career. Our university has several internationally highly ranked areas of expertise and is one of the most international universities. Our work community is characterized by strong team spirit and a commitment to continuous development. We are located on Aalto University's vibrant campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, where many Finnish New Space companies are also located, institutes and incubators.

The salary will be defined according to Aalto University's salary system, taking account of the applicant's experience and qualifications. The university provides research start-up funding, and we actively assist researchers in applying for other research funds. Aalto University provides its employees with occupational healthcare services.

Finland is a healthy and safe living environment, offering many excellent state-subsidized services including affordable day care, free schools, and universities, which are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Aalto University supports the learning of the local language (Finnish/Swedish) according to applicant’s own wishes. More information about living and working in Finland: For international staff | Aalto University.

Tenure track at Aalto University

Since 2010, the tenure track at Aalto University has attracted a wide range of international applicants, enabling the recruitment of top experts and young talent to the Aalto University community. Throughout their careers, those in the tenure track system are expected to conduct and supervise scientific research, to provide related academic education, contribute to developing their field or discipline, as well as contribute to academic service at the university and beyond in the society. For more information on the tenure track system of Aalto University, please see Tenure track career path | Aalto University.

Ready to apply?

To apply, we kindly ask you to submit your application materials through our recruitment system on 31.3.2026 at 23:59 at the latest (Eastern European time UTC +2). If you already work at Aalto University, please apply for the position by using your existing Workday user account. Please see how to apply as an internal applicant here.

The following application materials should be submitted in English and in pdf format (please note that the maximum size per document is 5MB):

• Application letter
• Curriculum Vitae incl. ResearcherID or ORCID and names and contact information for references. Kindly use the TENK template.
• List of publications with 5 most relevant publications regarding this position highlighted
• Research portfolio describing past research and plans for future research (max 5 pages)
• Teaching portfolio (guideline for candidates)

General instructions for applicants including evaluation criteria, language requirements and guidelines for compiling your documents are given at Interested in joining our tenure track? | Aalto University.

Further information

For additional information about the position, please contact the chair of the recruitment committee Professor Jaan Praks jaan.praks@aalto.fi or in questions related to the recruitment process, HR Partner Julia Majuri julia.majuri@aalto.fi.

About the recruitment process

We will start the evaluation process after the application period has expired. Shortlisted candidates are asked to provide 3 recommendation letters using an Aalto template and invited to a site visit held in April-May 2026.

Aalto University reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open or to extend the application period.

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