Doctoral Researcher in Structural Health Monitoring and Condition Assessment

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. The School of Engineering drives science and innovation in industrial and built environment technologies. We are committed to educating a new generation of experts who combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of sustainable development in shaping societies. Our research focuses on sustainable built environment, mechanics and materials, multidisciplinary energy technology, and design and implementation of technical systems. The strength of our school lies in close collaboration with stakeholders across research and education. About 45 doctoral candidates and 350 master’s students graduate from the school every year. The school is home to 700 staff members, including 70 professors. To learn more, please visit eng.aalto.fi. We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher in Structural Health Monitoring and Condition Assessment. We are seeking a highly motivated Doctoral Researcher in Structural Health Monitoring and Condition Assessment of Bridges to join the Structural and Bridge Engineering Research Group in the Department of Civil Engineering at Aalto University. Your role and goals The successful candidate will conduct doctoral research at the intersection of structural engineering and artificial intelligence. The research will focus on advancing methods for monitoring, assessing, and managing civil infrastructure through innovative sensing technologies and data-driven approaches. The research topics include: • Structural health monitoring of bridges and other civil infrastructure • Finite element analysis • Laboratory and field-based structural testing and data acquisition • Direct and indirect sensing methods for bridges, including remote sensing techniques • Machine learning and artificial intelligence for infrastructure condition assessment • Damage detection and software/application development for structural assessment The doctoral degree will be awarded upon successful completion of advanced doctoral coursework (30 ECTS), preparation of an article-based doctoral dissertation, and a successful public defence of the thesis. During the duration of the doctoral studies, the researcher will be expected to present publish in leading academic journals and high-level scientific conferences, engage in teaching-related duties, actively participate in the research group activities, assist in the preparation of new research proposals, and help to advise master’s students during the preparation of their final project. The research will involve extensive large-scale structural testing in both laboratory and field environments, as well as the development and application of direct and indirect (e.g., drive-by) structural health monitoring approaches. The researcher will collaborate closely with external stakeholders from industry and public organizations, requiring regular communication and engagement. The primary workplace is Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus, and the role requires regular on-site presence. Your network and team The Doctoral Researcher will be a member of the Structural and Bridge Engineering Research team at the Department of Civil Engineering. The doctoral studies and research will be supervised by Professor Weiwei Lin. Your experience and ambitions We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in structural engineering and a demonstrated interest in structural health monitoring, structural testing, and artificial intelligence. Applicants should hold a master’s degree with excellent academic performance in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field. Additional studies or research experience in computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence will be considered an advantage. Excellent written and fluent verbal communication skills in English are essential. Finnish proficiency is considered as an advantage. The successful candidate should enjoy working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment and be eager to engage with both methodological and applied research challenges. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are highly valued. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team is essential. Previous knowledge and experience in the following will be considered an advantage: • Experience in structural testing, sensing technologies, and data processing • Experience in scientific writing and academic publishing • Programming skills and experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar tools • Familiarity with machine learning and deep learning methods Applicants must fulfill the eligibility and admission criteria for Aalto’s Doctoral Programme in Engineering as specified Aalto Doctoral Programme in Engineering | Aalto University. Do note that the applicants are not expected to apply to the Aalto Doctoral Programme at this point – only the successful candidate will do this at the next application window. What we offer You will join a dynamic and supportive research group that values collaboration, curiosity, innovation, and academic excellence. The position provides outstanding opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary learning at the interface of structural engineering, sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence. Within Aalto’s broader community of students, researchers and other professionals, you will receive support to build your career and to reach your professional goals. Our vast array of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn, having the chance to participate actively in staff trainings and development projects based on your interests and needs. The preferred starting date is Autumn 2026. The initial contract period is 2 years, evaluated by a compulsory midterm review during the second year. The salary range, terms, and conditions are based on a collective bargaining agreement among Finnish universities. The starting salary is 3143 €/month (gross), and increases as the Doctoral Researcher progresses in their research and studies. Join us! To apply, please share your application with us through our recruitment site ("Apply now!”) at the latest by 31st August 2026. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. We encourage early applications, as candidates may be invited for interviews during the application period and the position may be filled before the application deadline. Please note that the position may remain unfilled if no suitable candidate is identified. Please include the following attachments: • Motivation letter with the applicant’s contact information and an indication of the preferred starting date (max 1 page) • CV including details of all academic outputs and publications (if available) • Contact information for two referees (with email addresses) who may be contacted to obtain a recommendation (max 2 pages) • Summary of the applicant’s master’s dissertation (max 1 page) • Master's degree certificate and transcript of records, including an explanation of the grading scale. Students in the final year of their Master’s programme are welcome to apply, but the expected graduation date must be clearly stated in the application. Candidates must have completed the master’s degree before the PhD contract begins. 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 more information about the role or application process, please contact Prof. Weiwei Lin (weiwei.lin@aalto.fi). On questions related to the recruitment system, please contact hr-eng@aalto.fi. Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos: This is Aalto University! Aalto University – Towards a better world and Shaping a Sustainable Future. Read more about working at Aalto: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto Check out our new virtual campus experience: https://virtualtour.aalto.fi 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 listed again as the happiest country in the world: World Happiness Report 2025 For more information about living in Finland: Aalto Careers for International Staff. 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.