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Espoo, Uusimaa, Suomi / Finland
Hybrid
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 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors. Our campus is 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.
Would you like to develop new wireless positioning methods for challenging non-line-of-sight environments and validate them through real radio experiments?
We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher in Backscatter-Assisted Wireless Positioning to join the Department of Information and Communications Engineering at Aalto University.
The position is part of the Research Council of Finland project Backscatter Assisted Non-line-of-sight Positioning (BANLOS). The project investigates how backscatter communications can enable and improve wireless positioning when direct line-of-sight propagation is unavailable or unreliable.
As a doctoral researcher, you will work towards a doctoral degree while contributing to research at the intersection of wireless positioning, backscatter communications, statistical signal processing, and software-defined radio experimentation. Depending on your background and interests, your research may emphasize theoretical modelling and algorithms, experimental implementation, or a combination of the two.
Your role and research
Your main goal will be to develop and experimentally validate methods that use backscatter-assisted radio measurements to improve positioning in challenging propagation environments. The detailed research questions will be refined together with your supervisors as your doctoral research progresses.
Your work may include:
The precise balance between theoretical and experimental research can be tailored according to your background and the scientific direction of the project.
Your research environment and supervision
You will join the BANLOS project in the research group of Professor Riku Jäntti at Aalto University's Department of Information and Communications Engineering.
The research environment brings together expertise in wireless communications, radio positioning, statistical signal processing, and experimental radio systems. You will collaborate with researchers and students at Aalto University as well as with the project's wider national and international scientific network.
You will receive regular scientific supervision and support in developing the skills needed to become an independent researcher. As your doctoral work progresses, you will also be encouraged to develop your own research ideas, build scientific networks, and initiate new collaborations.
What we expect from you
We are looking for a motivated, curious, and collaborative candidate who enjoys tackling challenging technical problems and is interested in developing into an independent researcher.
You should have:
The Master's degree should be completed by the start of the employment.
We particularly value experience or interest in one or more of the following:
Previous experience in all these areas is not expected. We welcome applicants whose main strengths are either theoretical or experimental, provided that they are motivated to develop the complementary skills needed for the project.
Previous publication experience is not required. In the selection, we will place particular emphasis on the applicant's research potential, academic background, analytical and problem-solving skills, motivation for the research topic, and ability to conduct doctoral research.
Doctoral studies at Aalto University
The position is intended for a researcher pursuing a doctoral degree at the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering.
The selected candidate must fulfil the eligibility and admission requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering. If you do not already have a doctoral study right at Aalto University, you will apply for the study right after being selected for the position.
More information about the doctoral programme, eligibility requirements, and doctoral admissions is available on the Aalto University website under Aalto Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering.
What we offer
At Aalto University, you will benefit from:
The position follows the School of Electrical Engineering's doctoral researcher employment practices. The initial employment contract is for two years, with a six-month probationary period. Following a successful mid-term review, the contract is expected to be extended for a further two years, giving a total duration of four years.
The salary is determined according to the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for a doctoral researcher is EUR 3,143 per month (gross) and develops as the doctoral research and studies progress.
The preferred starting date is as soon as possible, but the exact date can be agreed with the selected candidate.
The primary workplace is Aalto University's Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland. The duties of the position are carried out in Finland, with flexible working arrangements available in accordance with Aalto University practices.
Ready to apply?
If you would like to join us, please submit your application in English through Aalto University's online recruitment system using the "Apply now" link no later than October 18th, 2026 (23:59 EEST). Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. We encourage you to apply early, as we will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period.
All materials must be submitted in PDF format, with up to five (5) files, each no larger than 5 MB. The application materials must include:
You may also include a list of publications or other relevant research outputs if applicable, but previous publications are not required.
We encourage you to explain in your motivation letter how your background relates to one or more of the project's research areas. We do not expect applicants to have prior expertise in every aspect of the project.
Please note: Aalto University's employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) using their existing Workday user account, rather than through the external webpage for open positions. If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply using your personal email address rather than your aalto.fi address through Aalto University Open Positions.
Further information
For further information about the research topic and the doctoral researcher position, please contact Professor Riku Jäntti, riku.jantti@aalto.fi. For questions concerning the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor, hr-elec@aalto.fi.
About the Department of Information and Communications Engineering
The Department of Information and Communications Engineering at Aalto University conducts high-impact research and education in communications engineering, signal processing, networking, and related digital technologies. Our international community combines rigorous theory with experimental research and close collaboration across disciplines.
About Finland
Finland is a great place for living with or without a family. It is a safe, politically stable, and well-organized Nordic society and consistently ranks highly in international comparisons of quality of life.
For more information about living and working in Finland, see Aalto Careers for International Staff
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