Doctoral Researcher (software engineering) / Väitöskirjatutkija (ohjelmistotekniikka)

a week ago

Posted: a week ago

Tampere University

Company: Tampere University

Sept. 15, 2025

Due date: Sept. 15, 2025

Tampere

Location: Tampere

Apply!

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

We are inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) position in Software Engineering. The research topic will broadly lie in the intersection of software engineering and databases, including but not limited to topics such as:

Data management, e.g., sustainable data management
Database benchmarking, e.g., developing database benchmarks
Data engineering, e.g., improving data pipelines with AI
Database theory, e.g., designing or applying novel data models

The candidates are encouraged to choose their own research topic within the parameters above and apply their own focus on the topic. Such focus can be a theoretical or applied perspective, or focus for example on the technical, human-oriented, or organizational aspects of your chosen topic.

In this position, the candidate is expected to:

carry out high-quality research on mutually agreed topics, as well as publish / present results in prestigious international scientific conferences or journals,
complete a doctoral degree, including mandatory study credits required,
assist in teaching tasks and undergraduate supervision (up to 5% of total working time).

The work will be supervised by Assistant Professor Toni Taipalus.

The position is located in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences in the Unit of Computing Sciences. The work will be conducted on site, by default, as we encourage active participation to the local and vibrant research community. Partial remote work (e.g., 1–2 days a week) is possible, as separately negotiated.

Requirements and further details

To qualify for this position, the candidate should have a master’s degree (or equivalent eligibility for doctoral studies) from computer science, software engineering, information systems, or another applicable field by the start of employment. The candidate should possess a solid foundation in database theory (e.g., relational theory); at least basic programming and closely related skills (e.g., version control); and strong oral and written communication skills in English (including satisfaction of the language skill requirements of the doctoral program of the discipline).

Prior research experience is not mandatory but may be considered an advantage. The candidate should clearly state their motivation for pursuing a doctoral degree in the cover letter.

The successful candidate needs to apply for and be granted a study right for a doctoral degree in the doctoral program of the discipline at Tampere University. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements.

We offer

The expected starting date is November 1^st, 2025, or as soon as possible. A later starting date can be possible provided a good reason, such as an expected graduation date. The latest possible starting date is January 12^th2026. A trial period of 6 months is applied to all new employees. The duration of employment is 3.5 years.

We offer a starting salary of €2,738 / month for a starting doctoral researcher with later increases based on demonstrated PhD progress. The salary will be in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System (brand new salary tables only in Finnish at the moment). In addition, the position comes with extensive benefits such as occupational healthcare, excellent sports facilities, flexible working hours, and several restaurants and cafés on the campus with staff discounts. Traveling costs and daily allowances related to presenting peer-reviewed research outcomes in major international conferences is also covered.

Location of the work is Tampere, Finland — the largest inland city in the Nordic countries.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link below).

We will accept applications until the 15th of September 2025 at 23.59.00 (Finnish time / UTC +3).

The application should contain the following documents (all in .pdf format):

A free-form letter of motivation (cover letter) for the position in question (max. 1 page)
A free-form research plan detailing the candidate’s proposed research topic (max. 1 page)
Complete CV with contact information, including a list of publications (if any)
A copy of a master’s degree certificate
A copy of your master’s thesis
A transcript of records

Please name all the documents as surname_CV.pdf, surname_letter_of_motivation.pdf etc. Only the applications sent through the university application portal and containing the requested attachments in the instructed format will be considered in the recruitment process.

The most promising candidates will be interviewed in person or via remote meeting before the final decision.

More information

For more information about the position, please contact Assistant Professor Toni Taipalus by email (firstname.surname@tuni.fi; no umlauts).

Tampere University reserves the right to not fill the positions or extend the application period, if needed.

About the research environment

The research will be conducted at the Software Engineering Research Center (TASE) at Tampere University, Finland (https://research.tuni.fi/tase/).

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. It is also ranked as one of the top countries as far as social progress is concerned. Tampere is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. The Tampere region is one of the most rapidly growing urban areas in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Despite its growth, living in Tampere is highly affordable. In addition, the excellent public transport network enables quick, easy and cheap transportation around the city of Tampere and university campuses. Overall, working and living at Tampere provides a unique combination of international and ambitious academic environment, easy access to city, culture, and the surrounding nature with large forests and lakes, and an environment that supports developing a healthy work-life balance.