Doctoral Researcher in Education: AI-WELL Project on Youth Athlete Development, Well-being, and Machine Learning Åbo Akademi University in

Åbo Akademi University is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher in Education in Vaasa, Finland. This is a full-time, salaried PhD position for 3 years (36 months) starting on 1 September 2026 or as agreed.

The position is part of the AI-WELL project, titled “Rethinking Sustainable Youth Athlete Development through Machine Learning in the Nordic Model of Athlete Education.” The project is funded by the Research Council of Finland and focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of education, youth well-being, sports science, psychology, machine learning, and longitudinal quantitative research.

The doctoral researcher will study student-athlete well-being, mental health and motivation, sustainable athlete development, and AI-based early risk detection for burnout, stress, injuries, and disengagement. Responsibilities include conducting PhD research within the project, collecting and analyzing longitudinal quantitative data, scientific writing and publishing, presenting findings, and collaborating with an international interdisciplinary team.

Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree or equivalent, strong English communication skills, and good collaboration and organizational skills. Swedish and/or Finnish language skills are a strong asset, with B2+ preferred. Relevant prior research experience is desirable, especially in youth sport, athlete development, mental health and well-being, educational settings, longitudinal methods, and data-driven approaches in psychology, sport science, or health sciences.

Funding includes a starting salary of approximately €2,700/month in year 1, rising to about €3,500/month near completion. The role includes full-time salaried employment, hybrid work flexibility within Finland, annual supervision and study plan support, and access to a leading Nordic research environment.

To apply, candidates should submit degree certificates and transcripts, a research interest description (max 3 A4 pages) related to AI-WELL, two references with contact details, an academic CV in Finnish research CV format, and the master’s thesis (PDF or link). The deadline is 10 June 2026 at 3:00 PM Finnish time.