Doctoral researchers in Thermal Technologies, AI Infrastructure, and Building Energy Systems

Do you want to explore how emerging digital technologies, intelligent energy systems, or advanced thermal solutions can accelerate the sustainable transformation of buildings and infrastructure? We are looking for doctoral researchers to join us at LUT University and contribute to research on future building energy systems and thermal technologies.

LUT Civil Engineering is a new, growing part of the LUT School of Energy Systems, and now hiring three doctoral researchers with a strong interest in sustainable building energy systems, thermal technologies, and emerging digital infrastructure. The positions focus on developing innovative solutions for energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure through advanced thermal management, intelligent control systems, and computational approaches for sustainable energy systems.

We are also currently seeking other civil engineering professionals with a range of specialties; see our other job openings: https://www.lut.fi/en/about-us/come-work-us/open-positions.

What your work will be like

You will contribute to research on one of the following areas:

• Advanced thermal management and heat transfer technologies for energy and infrastructure applications. The position focuses on developing high-performance thermal solutions for energy and infrastructure applications, with a particular emphasis on liquid cooling, microchannel and cold-plate technologies, phase change materials, heat transfer enhancement, and thermal design and optimisation.
• AI infrastructure and building energy systems. The position strengthens research on sustainable building and district energy systems by investigating their interactions with emerging AI infrastructure, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency, energy flexibility, waste heat utilisation, renewable energy integration, and low-carbon energy solutions.
• Occupant-centric building energy systems and smart heating control. The position advances research on energy-efficient and human-centred residential heating by investigating intelligent control of heating systems, with particular emphasis on occupancy sensing and prediction, smart thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) control, occupant interaction, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency.

As a doctoral researcher, your primary goal is to complete your doctoral degree. You will actively participate in the research group's activities and contribute to research projects in various ways. Depending on the position, your work may involve conducting research, developing computational models, analytical methods, and control solutions, carrying out and analysing field experiments, and analysing and documenting research results. You will disseminate your findings through peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations at international conferences and research meetings.

In addition, you will contribute to national and international research projects in close collaboration with your research team and external partners. Your role may also include teaching and assisting in teaching at the bachelors and masters levels, supervising student projects where appropriate, and contributing to research group and project activities.

The selected candidates must apply for the right to pursue doctoral studies at the LUT Doctoral School within the first two months of employment.

What we expect

A relevant masters degree is required. Depending on your chosen research topic, your educational background may relate to energy engineering, building services engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, complex systems, automation and control engineering, computer science, data science, computational science, applied mathematics, thermal engineering, or a related field.

We expect you to have strong interest in your chosen research area and an academic background that supports it. Depending on the topic, experience in scientific programming, computational modelling, CFD, building energy modelling, data-driven methods, optimisation, control, statistical or probabilistic modelling, or related quantitative methods is considered an advantage. The role requires commitment to completing your doctoral studies within their normative timeframe. We value strong academic writing skills and motivation to contribute to high-quality scientific publications during your doctoral studies. Written and spoken fluency in English is required, and other language skills are considered an asset.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. You should be able to work independently, communicate findings clearly, and collaborate effectively in an international research environment. Prior scientific publications are not required but are considered an advantage. Previous research experience is beneficial but not required, and motivated early-career candidates are encouraged to apply. Commitment to responsible and ethical research practices is essential.

As the LUT Civil Engineering is just being established, you should be comfortable operating in an evolving environment where uncertainty and change are part of everyday work.

What we offer

The employment relationship starts with a one-year term. The contract may be extended by three years if your progress in your studies and research in the first year is satisfactory. The employment begins with a six-month trial period.

The work starts as soon as possible, and the start date is negotiable. The position follows a system of 1,612 annual working hours in accordance with the collective agreement for Finnish universities.

The salary is set according to the Finnish university pay systems scale for teaching and research staff (requirement level 2). The starting salary is approximately EUR 3,100 per month.

Please submit your application by 4 October 2026 at 23:59 (Finnish local time, UTC+3).

For more information, please contact Assistant Professor Xiaolei Yuan, xiaolei.yuan@lut.fi.

LUT University | LUT University seeks solutions to global issues with its expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. LUT is a trailblazer in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources and helps build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education. LUT's campuses are in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, but its impact is global.