Postdoctoral researchers in water and digitalisation

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 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other 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’s Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group is looking for

Postdoctoral researchers in water and digitalisation

The duration of the positions is 1.5 years, starting latest in summer 2026.

The positions are based on Aalto University’s Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group WAT (Water and Environmental Engineering | Aalto University). WAT is a multi- and interdisciplinary group that promotes sustainable water management through three key research areas: Water Resources Management and Environmental Hydraulics, Water and Development; and Water and Wastewater Engineering.

All positions are linked to the Digital Waters (DIWA) Flagship (www.digitalwaters.fi): more information on DIWA can be found below.

We are now looking for three Postdoctoral Researchers with topics related to the development of digital solutions for water resources measurement, modelling, assessment, planning and management, including the role of Digital Twins:

1.) Watershed modelling and links with digital solutions and Digital Twin creation

2.) River system model data pipelines and Digital Twin creation

3.) Transformative water management through digital solutions

Requirements for the positions

• Doctoral degree from a relevant field (completed before starting in the position)

• A good command of English

• Ability and enthusiasm to work in the position and as part of a multidisciplinary research network.

The applicants should clearly indicate which of the three positions they are applying for. You can apply for several positions, but you should indicate your preference for those on the application form.

We encourage applicants from a variety of relevant fields to apply, including e.g. water engineering, hydrology, natural sciences and geosciences. Knowledge of the key aspects of the positions (of watershed modelling for topic 1, river system modelling for topic 2, and transformative water management for topic 3) is a strong merit for the positions. Prior knowledge of digital twins is a major asset related to all three topics. Coding skills are required for the positions related to topics 1 and 2, while Finnish language competence as well as experience from stakeholder collaboration are strong merits for the position on topic 3.

Please state your skills when demonstrating the ability to work in the position (see below the required documents).

Our workplace values equality and diversity, and we therefore encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

What we offer

• We offer you an interesting job in an inspiring and multidisciplinary work environment. We will familiarize you with your work tasks, and you will be part of a competent team that will provide you with support for your tasks. We encourage and offer opportunities for continuous development of your own expertise.

• You will become part of a wide and unique network of researchers, from early career to senior researchers within the DIWA Flagship.

• The expected starting date in the position is at the latest on June 1st, 2026. Living in Finland during the contract is compulsory.

• Employment contracts will be made for 1.5 years with the funding from the Research Council of Finland.

• Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary is approximately 4050 €/month (gross), and it increases as the Postdoctoral Researcher progresses in their research.

• The contract includes Aalto University occupational healthcare.

• We work in a hybrid way with flexible office hours, and the primary workplace is at our active university campus in Otaniemi, Espoo.

Ready to apply?

To apply, please submit your application through our recruitment system by Friday February 20, 2026 (23:59 EET [UTC+2]). Click “Apply now”.

Please include the following documents in English, preferably as a single pdf-file (name the file: lastname_firstname_application.pdf):

• Letter of Motivation (1 page), where you introduce yourself and describe your research interests and motivation for the position. Applicants should demonstrate the ability (incl. technical skills) to work in the position. We request the applicant to also mention which one of the three topics would be their preferred topic.

• A Curriculum Vitae (2 pages), including contact details of two relevant referees (please see CV example: Template for researcher's curriculum vitae | Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK). You are also encouraged to include links to your personal webpage, LinkedIn page or similar.

• List of Publications, including the titles and possible links to scientific publications.

• Abstract of the Doctoral Thesis and link to the actual Thesis.

• Research statement of the selected research topic (2 pages): Indicate your relevant skills and include a plan on how you would develop digital solutions on water resources measurement, modelling, assessments, planning and/or management. Also clearly note your envisioned contribution on developing Digital Twins of watersheds, from the perspective of the position you are applying to. The use of artificial intelligence to assist in the preparation of the research plan should be clearly indicated in the research plan.

Kindly note that we will start to go through the applications and may invite suitable candidates to interview during the application period. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified: you are thus encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

Digital Water (DIWA) Flagship

DIWA is a leading research and innovation ecosystem, bringing research and new innovations together to support decision-making and management in the water sector – digitally. DIWA enables a transition towards the digital representation of real-world water systems (Digital Twin) to reproduce hydrological storages, their states, fluxes and processes, as well as ecosystem responses with novel options for improved scenario analyses, planning and governance.

The work related to the positions is in line with the DIWA Flagship’s research themes of hydrosphere processes; new observational systems; integrated analysis and modelling; digital services, platforms, and business applications; and transformative water management. Important are the interactions and responses in the hydro-, atmo- and cryosphere as well as diverse linkages between water, climate, land, and ecosystems. The large datasets and other information gathered during DIWA flagship will be available for postdoctoral researchers. DIWA Flagship aims for major societal impact, and will collaborate with key stakeholders from public and private sector as well as civil society. 

Together, Aalto’s Water and Environmental Engineering Research Group and the DIWA Flagship offer a unique research and learning environment that provides access to excellent research infrastructure, and professional career development. Postdoctoral Researchers will be working closely with the researchers and partner organisations of the DIWA ecosystem, including cities and municipalities, ministries, companies, research institutes and civil society organisations.

Any questions?

For additional information about the DIWA Flagship positions, kindly contact Assistant Professor Eliisa Lotsari (eliisa.s.lotsari[at]aalto.fi).

For questions about applying, please contact HR partner Sanni Mero (sanni.mero[at]aalto.fi).

Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, extend the application period, reopen the application process, and to consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.

Want to know more about us?

You can watch these videos: Aalto University – Towards a better world,  Aalto People , and Shaping a Sustainable Future.

Read more about working at Aalto: Careers at Aalto | Aalto University.

About Finland

Finland is a great place for living with or without family – it is a safe, politically stable and well-organized Nordic society. Finland is consistently ranked high in quality of life and was just listed again as the happiest country in the world: It’s a Three-Peat, Finland Keeps Top Spot as Happiest Country in World | The World Happiness Reporttop-spot-as-happiest-country-in-world/. For more information about living in Finland: For international staff | Aalto University.

More about Aalto University:

Aalto.fi
youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity
linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/
www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity

To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here.

Please see more of our Open Positions here.