The doctoral programme at the School of Electrical Engineering will make you an expert in your field. During the studies, you’ll explore a research topic of your choice in detail and select courses that develop your competence. Full-time students can complete the doctoral programme in four years. Doctoral studies can also be completed as part-time studies. In this case, the schedule is planned individually with the supervising professor.
The chance of making a societal impact motivated Anastasiia Kravtcova to pursue her doctoral studies and to dive into a groundbreaking topic in medical engineering at the School of Electrical Engineering.
For Antti Alahäivälä, doctoral studies were a day job that allowed him to focus on interesting research and self-development. His doctoral research provided a strong foundation for his current work at Wärtsilä.
Senior Researcher and Research Project Manager Osman Yilmaz, whose doctoral degree will be conferred in the ceremonial conferment in June, is now working on 5G at Ericsson.
Doctoral student Aini Putkonen thinks that the doctoral degree prepares students well for both academia and industry.
Awan’s doctoral research deals with the control methods for more efficient electric motors, which could replace traditional induction motors in industrial applications and help reduce the carbon footprint of motor driven systems
In his dissertation, Aalto University alumnus presented real-time control algorithms for next-generation renewable energy production
'Now I’m less fearful of failing. I know how to put things into perspective. It was a good lesson to learn that failing is part of the process of succeeding.'
In his doctoral thesis, an Aalto University alum developed a loss-free radiation sensor which is already on the way to the global market with mass production just getting started.
In his doctoral thesis, Kalle Spoof developed beamforming of radar systems
A doctorate in the School of Electrical Engineering is not just fours more years of studies, but actual research work.As a doctoral researcher, your main task is to conduct research in your field and present the results in high-quality publications and at conferences. You’ll select and complete 40 credits of studies that support your research and give you valuable skills for your future work life. You have the opportunity to participate in an exchange or a visit to one of our many partner universities around the world.
You will compile your research into a doctoral thesis, which in most cases consists of peer-reviewed articles and a summary section. Doctoral research culminate in a traditional public defence and post-doctoral party, which is always a memorable experience.
Our doctoral students work in international and multidisciplinary research groups and cooperate with other researchers. You’ll be assigned an experienced researcher as your personal thesis advisor, who will support you throughout your doctoral studies. You’ll become part of the international academic community and also have opportunities to network with companies and organisations in your field.
More information on doctoral studies at Aalto UniversityWhat are doctoral studies like?
Last winter, Aarresaari, a career services network of Finnish universities, conducted a survey on how doctoral graduates from 2014 were employed. A hundred per cent of doctors from the School of Electrical Engineering were satisfied with their degree from the career point of view.
In their responses to the career monitoring survey doctoral graduates also emphasised the importance of networking and project management skills.
The majority of doctoral graduates in 2022 were satisfied with the education they received and were employed at the time of their graduation. Each doctoral student is asked to answer the survey when they graduate.
Our doctoral programme trains experts for academic careers and jobs in business and public administration. The majority of doctoral graduates in electrical engineering work for companies. After graduation, you’ll be qualified to work in demanding scientific research and teaching positions as well as expert, development and management tasks. The employment rate for doctoral graduates in technology is excellent.
We see doctoral education as an investment in the future, says Tuomas Nurmi, senior HR manager at Murata Finland.
To apply for doctoral studies, you must hold a relevant master's degree completed with good academic success. You also need the ability to conduct research and good oral and written skills in English. You have the motivation to complete your degree within the four-year target period.
Summer jobs and thesis worker positions offered by research groups are a good way to get acquainted with research and gain useful experience for doctoral studies.
Before applying, you should discuss your research topic and the supervision of doctoral studies with the supervising professor responsible for your field of study. The doctoral programme in electrical engineering consists of 13 research fields. Applications are accepted monthly, except for July.
Many of our doctoral students are employed as researchers in different research projects. The Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering also offers some funded positions, for which the calls are announced on our web page and by e-mail. In addition, various grants are available for doctoral studies.
Open positions on the Aalto website
We're happy to answer any questions that you may have! You can reach us at: [email protected]
Application requirements and instructionsContact information to the doctoral programme
