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Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment invites applications for

TWO DOCTORAL CANDIDATES IN LAND USE PLANNING

The Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering research group (https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-built-environment/spatial-planning-and-transportation-engineering) is seeking two highly motivated and creative doctoral students who would undertake research in the areas of environmental health promotion, participatory urban planning and experiential knowledge in planning. The candidates must have a high motivation for research and enjoy working in an international and cross-disciplinary team.

The positions should start in the beginning 2020 and is intended for full-time work. The selected individuals are expected to work for three years in one of the two projects described below. The successful applicant will have possibility to cooperate with world-class researchers, as well as to attend scientific conferences and meetings. Moreover, the research group provides strong support and academic freedom, with possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration, both internationally and within Aalto University.

Job descriptions

Doctoral candidate in FINEST TWIN CITY project

The first doctoral candidate will work in a multidisciplinary FINEST project that is a joint effort of Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and Aalto University. The project focuses on smart city solutions related to human-centred urban planning and design, intelligent transport, digital services, data security and renewable energy solutions. The doctoral candidate will work in the Built Environment research stream of the project that is concentrating on smart, human-centered solutions based on human living data and smart planning processes and support systems.

In this subproject the possibilities of 3D city models to promote smart, participatory urban planning will be studied. Research questions will be related to the place-based study of urban experiences, urban planning simulations and evaluation by applying the possibilities provided by 3d city models and other data sources. The doctoral candidate will concentrate especially in developing the data collection and analysis methods of experiential data from the users of urban spaces and the utilization of this knowledge in urban planning practice. The research plan will be formulated together with the candidate, depending on his/her interests and expertise.

The successful candidate should preferably have a master's degree in urban planning, geoinformatics, geography, architecture, computer sciences or in a related area. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required, knowledge of Finnish is an advantage. The ability to work independently as part of a group in an international environment is essential. Appreciated skills include deep knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), knowledge in the analysis of 2D and 3D data sets, statistical analysis skills and some experience with 3D city models. Programming skills (e.g. Python) are an additional advantage.

Doctoral candidate in NORDGREEN project

The second doctoral candidate will work in a NORDGREEN project funded by NordForsk that is a research project by Nordregio together with Aalto University, Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Several Nordic cities are partners of the project including two Finnish cities (Espoo, Ii). The aim of NORDGREEN is to support integrated planning efforts for urban sustainability by developing and implementing smart planning and management solutions for well-designed, high-quality greenspace that promote equity, health and wellbeing. The starting points are the connection of greenspace accessibility and public health effects, the social sustainability challenges of segregated and densifying cities, and the need for strengthened links between citizen participation and implemented plans.

Aalto University will concentrate on examining the health/wellbeing-greenspace nexus with the help of environmental psychology and epidemiology data, the knowledge base for public health strategies and policies on greenspace planning, management and design will be strengthened. By applying methods of Public Participation GIS, the understanding and integration of citizens’ needs, demands and use of greenspace into the planning process will increase and the links between citizen participation and implemented plans will be strengthened. Although the project provides a general framework for the research, the more detailed research plan will be formulated together with the candidate, depending on the candidate’s interests and expertise.

The successful candidate should preferably have a master's degree in urban planning, landscape architecture, forest sciences, public health, sport sciences, psychology, geoinformatics, geography or in a related area. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required, knowledge of Finnish is also very important because close collaboration with Finnish cities in an important part of the project. The ability to work independently as part of a group in an international environment is essential. Appreciated skills include deep knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical analysis skills. Previous knowledge in environmental health promotion field is an advantage.

Common requirements

The applicants for the doctoral candidate position must fulfil the requirements for doctoral students at Aalto University, School of Engineering. For more details, see: https://into.aalto.fi/display/endoctoraleng/How+to+apply#Howtoapply-Admissioncriteria

Salary

Salary will be defined according to the salary system of Finnish Universities.

How to apply

To apply for these positions, please submit the following documents as a single pdf file using the link “Apply Now”. Application materials should be submitted in English.

1.    Motivation letter (max 2 pages: describe your motivation, scientific interests and career goals, earlier experience in related themes and methodologies and mention your earliest possible starting date)

2.    Curriculum Vitae (CV), including previous experience, relevant skills for the position, and list of publications (if any). You may, if you wish, follow the CV guidelines by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK)

3.    Highest degree certificate and transcripts of studies (with clear explanation on the grading scale)

4.    Optionally a reference letter. (The reference letter can be sent directly to Marketta Kyttä ([email protected]) by the writer of the recommendation.)

The application should be sent through the eRecruitment system by 31 January 2020 (Apply now). Email applications will not be taken into account. Aalto University reserves the right to leave the position open, to extend the application period and to consider candidates who have not applied during the application period. The application materials will not be returned.

Further information

For more information on the positions, please contact principal investigator, Prof. Marketta Kyttä, tel. +358 505124583. For more information on the process, please contact HR coordinator Kirsi Kärkkäinen, tel. +358 50 5913981.  Emails: [email protected]

Espoo 10.1.2020