Turku region with its 320,000 people is a major urban area and a leading hub for technological development and economic growth in Finland. This former capital, located in southwestern Finland, has a rich cultural history and is the gateway to the world’s most beautiful archipelago. The University of Turku is a world-class research university that offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to international research and the higher education in Finland. The University of Turku is the highest ranked Finnish university outside of Helsinki. 

We are looking for one fixed-term doctoral researcher or project researcher to work in the SnowPower-project, which is led at University of Turku by university lecturer Sami Jouttijärvi. The project funding covers the years 2026-2029 (https://research.fi/en/results/funding/86435). The successful candidate starts working in March 2026 or upon a mutual agreement and the doctoral researcher’s work will last until December 31, 2029. The project complements research in snow physics, meteorology, and energy engineering to advance in measuring and modelling the amount of sunlight reflected by snow, and to use the results to enhance the solar energy production in the snowy season. University of Turku improves the simulation of loss of solar energy yield due to the snow accumulation on the solar panels. We will apply these results to simulate the energy yield of solar panels in snowy conditions, and to identify the optimal panel setup that maximizes the economic value of the produced electricity and minimizes the facility maintenance. Doing so, we will facilitate the growth of solar energy production in Finland accelerating the transition to renewable energy in snowy areas.

The successful candidate will perform mostly computational research in the field of solar energy engineering and makes a doctoral dissertation within the framework of SnowPower. We may recruit also a project researcher, who has a suitable Master’s level degree and who acquires the doctoral study right after the recruitment. We may consider a student who is close to a completion of a suitable Master’s degree and who will do a Master’s thesis in SnowPower and continues as a doctoral researcher afterwards. In this case, the job title is research assistant. The position is located in the Faculty of Technology in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, in the Solar Energy Materials and Systems research group. We are building a diverse and creative team with an aptitude for excellence.

Daily work tasks include modeling the production of solar energy systems and analyzing the impact of snow. The successful candidate collaborates closely with the Finnish Meteorological Institute within the SnowPower project, as well as with other computational researchers in the Solar Energy Materials and Systems research group, considering modeling of the solar power production and analyzing the impact of snow.

The chosen applicant must have an interest in and/or experience with modeling of solar energy systems, applying machine learning methods, and data analysis. A background can be in materials engineering, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, or another suitable field. In addition to having prior education and work experience relevant to this research position, we also value an excellent academic record (grade point average; timely graduation). Good collaboration and communication skills are required. Previous programming experience is an advantage.

Who we are looking for

Requirements 

The person selected for the post of doctoral researcher / project researcher is required to have a higher university degree and doctoral researcher must have an accepted research plan. In addition, when acquiring his or her degree or otherwise, he or she is required to have demonstrated the ability and motivation to undertake postgraduate studies and the capacity to complete a doctoral degree in accordance with the research plan. The MSc degree must be completed before the end of the application period. Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are required. A project researcher will apply for the study right for doctoral studies in University of Turku in the next possible call (in this case Spring 2026). Thus, please check the application criteria that you need to meet. In particular, please pay attention to mandatory skill level in English. Read more about the Doctoral Programme in Technology of University of Turku https://www.utu.fi/en/study-at-utu/doctoral-programme-in-technology. The contract for a project researcher is fixed-term and it lasts until the candidate is expected to have the doctoral study rights (in the Spring 2026 call, August 1, 2026). The qualification requirements for the position are stated in the University of Turku Rules of Procedure: https://www.utu.fi/en/university/organisation.

Candidates who will graduate soon (Master’s students) are also encouraged to apply. In these cases, the title is research assistant. It is possible for instance to make your MSc thesis as a research assistant. You have to meet the application criteria to apply for doctoral study rights later (see what is listed above for doctoral candidates, e.g. mandatory English skill level). The successful candidate is interested and willing to continue as a doctoral researcher as soon as he or she meets the formal criteria. The duration of the research assistant contract is 6 months. If the relevant degree is obtained within these 6 months, the contracts will be upgraded to the correct title with the appropriate change in salary. 

We value collegiality and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage all qualified applicants with different backgrounds to apply for our open positions.