Doctoral Researchers in Thermal Technologies, AI Infrastructure, and Building Energy Systems LUT University in Finland

LUT University is recruiting three doctoral researchers for the newly established LUT Civil Engineering team within the LUT School of Energy Systems. The positions are based at LUT’s Lahti campus in Finland and focus on research that supports the sustainable transformation of buildings and infrastructure through thermal technologies, AI infrastructure, and building energy systems.

The three research directions are:

1) Advanced thermal management and heat transfer technologies
Research topics include liquid cooling, microchannel and cold-plate technologies, phase change materials, heat transfer enhancement, and thermal design and optimisation for energy and infrastructure applications.

2) AI infrastructure and building energy systems
This topic investigates how emerging AI infrastructure interacts with building and district energy systems, with emphasis on energy efficiency, energy flexibility, waste heat utilisation, renewable energy integration, and low-carbon energy solutions.

3) Occupant-centric building energy systems and smart heating control
This area focuses on human-centred residential heating, including occupancy sensing and prediction, smart thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) control, occupant interaction, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency.

As a doctoral researcher, you will work closely with your supervisor and research group, contribute to research projects, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. The role may involve developing computational models, analytical methods, and control solutions; carrying out field experiments; and documenting and communicating results. Depending on the assignment, teaching and supervision of student projects may also be included. The selected candidates must apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies at the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of employment.

Eligibility highlights: a relevant master’s degree is required. Suitable backgrounds include energy engineering, building services engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, automation and control engineering, computer science, data science, computational science, applied mathematics, thermal engineering, or related disciplines. Strong English proficiency is required. Experience in scientific programming, computational modelling, CFD, building energy modelling, data-driven methods, optimisation, control, or statistical/probabilistic modelling is considered an advantage.

Employment and funding: the initial employment is for one year and may be extended by three years if progress is satisfactory. The position includes a salary of approximately EUR 3,100 per month depending on experience and qualifications, under the Finnish university pay system. The employment starts as soon as possible, with a negotiable start date, and includes a six-month trial period.

Application deadline: 4 October 2026 at 23:59 Finnish local time (UTC+3). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

How to apply: submit the online application and attach a one-page motivation letter, CV, original degree certificates and transcripts, and contact details of two references. Documents must be in English and PDF format; certified translations are required if originals are in another language. Applicants should indicate which of the three topics interests them most and submit only one application.