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

Mobile working machines (MWM) are critical to industries like construction, mining, and agriculture and key to Europe’s sustainability and productivity goals. To meet rising demands for green, autonomous, and digital solutions, the ENGAGE network brings together top machine manufacturers (Volvo CE, Liebherr, Ponsse, AGCO), tech leaders (Bosch, Bosch Rexroth, Novatron, GIM Robotics), and six leading academic groups across Europe.

ENGAGE will train a new generation of engineers through Industrial Doctorates, equipping them with cutting-edge expertise in AI, robotics, and mechanical engineering. Together, we’re building the future of smart, sustainable mobile machinery. 

We are now looking for a Doctoral Researcher to the project of force and loss prediction in contact rich tasks for control of hydraulic machines. 

Job Description

Project tasks and objectives:    

Industry objectives: 1) Development of data-efficient force and energy loss models for hydraulic machines operating with heterogeneous materials such as earth with different sizes of rocks. 2) Development of advanced control algorithms integrated with force and loss models to prevent overloads and hazardous situations, ensuring operational efficiency and the safety of operators and equipment. 

Science objectives: 1) Development of innovative machine learning models that require minimal data by leveraging simulations and domain knowledge, and accurately predict forces and energy losses during contact-rich interactions in hydraulic machines. 2) Development of advanced predictive control strategies that utilize force and loss predictions to manage complex machine behaviours in real-time and improve the resilience of the system against uncertainties and disturbances by incorporating predictive insights. Training will include: broadening knowledge of the state of the art in related fields, such as simulation, reinforcement learning, imitation learning, model predictive control. 

The doctoral candidate will also be involved in dissemination through social media promotion of the network, such as project website, LinkedIn groups, YouTube video channels, and blogging.   

Requirements  

We are looking for a talented, creative and highly motivated researcher. Recruited researcher can be of any nationality. Doctoral Candidate must be eligible to be enrolled into Doctoral Program at Tampere University and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The candidate must also comply with the respective employers' requirements in Finland. 

MSCA Mobility Rule: at the time of recruitment by the host organization the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of his/her employer (in this case: Tampere University, Finland) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.  

At the start of the employment the applicant must be in possession of Master of Science (MSc) diploma in relevant engineering disciplines or applied mathematics. Experience with machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, simulation environments and optimal control are appreciated. 

English language requirements: Proficiency in written/spoken English is mandatory. In certain cases, we may ask for a language certificate.  

We offer    

The position is full-time, and duration is three years. The expected starting date is  January 1st, 2026  or as mutually agreed upon by both parties.  A trial period of six months applies to all new employees. The place of employment will be at Tampere University for a period of 12 months, and the period of 24 months in Novatron. Target degree is a doctoral degree from Tampere University. 

Supervisory team: Gokhan Alcan (TAU), Reza Ghabcheloo (TAU), Antti Kolu (Novatron) 

Approximate gross salary: In Finland about 3800 EUR/month plus family allowance if applicable. The salary will be defined in accordance with MSCA funding rules. 

Please read more about working at Tampere University here.  

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. Tampere’s 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.   

For more information on Tampere and Finland, please visit:   

• https://visittampere.fi/en/   
• https://www.visitfinland.com/en/  
• https://www.infofinland.fi/en/landingpage 

Novatron develops, manufactures and supplies machine control systems, related software and cloud services for infraconstruction sites. Novatron’s main products are Xsite® machine control systems and Manage cloud services. Intelligent 3D solutions enable model-based construction process (Building Information Modeling, BIM) and increase the productivity of the earthmoving industry. It has 130 employees, including a R&D department with 60 Engineers and Scientists with expertise on Research, Software Development and Embedded electronics.

How to apply  

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is November 16, 2025 at 23.59 (Finnish time / UTC +2).  

The applicant must submit the following documents through LAURA portal, only a clear copy of the documents will be considered. Name the files as indicated. 

• YourLastname_Diploma.pdf: Certified copies of the bachelor's and master's degree certificates with the Diploma Supplement (DS) as approved by the EU Commission for degrees completed in European universities (when applicable) Official translations into English (if the original documents are in a language other than English).   
• YourLastname_CV.pdf: Curriculum Vitae/CV (preferably in Europass format), including list of publications, and contact details of 2 or more referees 
• YourLastname_Motivation.pdf: One to two pages where you introduce yourself, present your merits, both those relevant to the position and those not directly. Include also your future goals.   
• YourLastname_Residence.pdf: Proof of residence is an own statement and certificates demonstrating your residence(s) in the last 3-4 years 

Please note that we will begin conducting interviews during the application period, so early applications are encouraged. This allows us to get to know candidates as soon as possible and keep the process moving efficiently. Please apply at your earliest convenience!  

For more information, please contact:  

• Assistant Professor, Supervisor, Gökhan Alcan, gokhan.alcan@tuni.fi  
• Professor, Supervisor, Reza Ghabcheloo, reza.ghabcheloo@tuni.fi 
• Specialist, Research and innovation services, Salla Kotakorva, salla.kotakorva@tuni.fi

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Liikkuvat työkoneet (MWM) ovat keskeisiä rakentamisen, kaivostoiminnan ja maatalouden aloilla, ja ovat avainasemassa Euroopan kestävyyden ja tuottavuuden tavoitteiden saavuttamisessa. Vastatakseen kasvavaan kysyntään vihreistä, autonomisista ja digitaalisista ratkaisuista ENGAGE-verkosto yhdistää johtavat konemerkit (Volvo CE, Liebherr, Ponsse, AGCO), teknologiajohtajat (Bosch, Bosch Rexroth, Novatron, GIM Robotics) sekä kuusi huippuluokan akateemista tutkimusryhmää eri puolilta Eurooppaa. 

ENGAGE on eurooppalainen tutkimusverkosto, joka kouluttaa uuden sukupolven insinöörejä teollisten tohtorikoulutusten kautta tarjoamalla huippuosaamista tekoälyn, robotiikan ja konetekniikan aloilla. 

Haemme nyt tohtorikoulutettavaa projektiin, joka keskittyy ennustavien mallien kontaktirikkaisiin rakennustehtäviin.

Työsuhteen kesto on kolme vuotta, ja tehtävässä työskennellään 12 kuukautta Tampereen yliopistossa ja 24 kuukautta yrityksessä.

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta. Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta).

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 16.11.2025 klo 23:59.