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

FAST-Lab at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences is led by Prof. Jose L. Martinez Lastra and is part of the Unit of Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering. The objective of FAST-Lab is the seamless knowledge integration of humans and machines/robots creating smart environments by capitalising the advances on Information and Communication Technologies. FAST-Lab does research in Automation, Industrial Informatics, Industrial Cyberphysical Systems, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. The main application domains for our research are Factory Automation, Healthcare Automation and Smart Mobility building the future Smart Factories, Smart Healthcare and Smart Cities. You can visit our ongoing projects here: FAST-Lab European Projects.

Job Description

FAST-Lab is looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral researcher in the field of AI-Driven Digital Twins and Smart Planning for Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS).

The Postdoctoral Researcher will focus on developing adaptive digital twin frameworks and AI-based smart planners to support dynamic production environments within a Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystem. The work will integrate deep reinforcement learning, autonomous agent modelling, and multi-objective optimization to enable predictive simulation, real-time resource management, and intelligent decision-making across distributed manufacturing networks.

Specifically, the work will include:

• Development of a digital twin for a manufacturing production system.
• Development of adaptive simulation tools for predicting production changes.
• Development of AI-based Smart Planners for production planning, performance prediction, and maintenance scheduling.
• Development of autonomous AI Agents and remote interfaces to support the MaaS Consumer to remotely monitor and control parameters provided by the MaaS Provider.

Requirements

The candidate must possess doctoral degree (PhD) in any or the following fields: Automation Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or any closely related field. The ideal candidate must be proficient in the use of English language (both written and spoken) and must have a good knowledge of programming languages. The candidate must also be comfortable with working in an intercultural and inter-disciplinary research team.

We require the following:

• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, JavaScript frameworks etc.)
• Knowledge of digital twin technologies and simulation platforms
• Knowledge of Deep Reinforcement Learning frameworks (PyTorch, Tensorflow etc.)
• Knowledge of multi-agent systems and autonomous agent modelling
• Expertise in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

We consider the following as an advantage:

• Willingness to collaborate, curiosity to learn, innovate and explore new directions
• Experience working in interdisciplinary research projects
• Knowledge of smart manufacturing architectures, Industry 4.0 technologies, cyber-physical systems etc.
• Experience in research funding acquisitions from national and regional funders
• A record of scientific publications in the fields of smart manufacturing, industrial AI, digital twins, optimization etc.

We offer

The positions will be full-time, and it will be filled for a fixed term until November 30, 2027. The expected starting date is in January 2026, or as mutually agreed upon by both parties. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System.The position of Postdoctoral Researcher is placed on the job demands level 5-6 (teaching and research staff). A typical starting salary of Postdoctoral Researcher is around 3800-3900 EUR/month. 

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University and information about Tampere University as an employer. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.   We are inviting you to be a part of an active and truly international research community allowing you to develop your skills. We have a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education.

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area 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. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year. 

Read more about Finland and Tampere City:

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere

How to apply 

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is November 27, 2025 (at 23:59 EEST / UTC+2). 

Applications and all accompanying documentation should be written in English, and in PDF format. Please note that applicants may be invited to participate to an interview throughout the application time and therefore we encourage to apply as soon as possible. 

Applications should include the following documents: 

• Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines

• Transcript of studies 

• Motivation letter (incl. research directions) 

For more information, please contact: 

Project Manager, Anne Ala-Heikkilä, tel. +358 50 300 2500, email: anne.ala-heikkila (at) 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

FAST-Lab. -tutkimusryhmä hakee kokoaikaista tutkijatohtoria EU-projektiimme. FAST-Lab:n tavoite on tietojen saumaton yhdistäminen ihmisten ja koneiden/robottien välillä. Luomme älykkäitä ympäristöjä, joissa hyödynnetään uusinta tieto- ja viestintätekniikkaa. FAST-Lab:n tutkimusalueita ovat tehdasautomaatio, teollisuuden informatiikka, teollisuuden kyberfyysisetjärjestelmät, robotiikka ja tekoäly.

Tehtävänkuvaus ja hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 27.11.2025 klo 23.59.