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Within the unit of Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering, faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, we are recruiting one (1) doctoral positions. The unit has about 20 professors and 100 research staff in the areas of Robotics, Automation, and Mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering is one of the core areas of education and research of the faculty. The position is opened in the Machine Design group (Machine Dynamics Group (Machine Design) | Tampere University).

Our group integrates machine dynamics, AI, computer vision, structural mechanics, and control for condition monitoring and asset management of railway rolling stock and infrastructure.

Job description

We are looking for one (1) Doctoral Researcher in the areas of vehicle dynamics, automatic control and mechatronics. Successful candidates will pursue a doctoral degree at Tampere University. Full-time doctoral studies are expected to be completed in three years.

You will focus on the research of experimental methods on onboard railway wheel friction estimate and control. You will collaborate closely with one doctoral researcher at Machine Dynamic Group who develops computational methods for model-based rail friction estimation. During your PhD you will have opportunity to test your technology on full-scale wheel-rail lab (Full-Scale Wheel-Rail Lab | Tampere University) at Tampere University and real train operated in Finland. You will have the opportunity for the research exchange in other EU countries. You will work for the project funded by Research Council of Finland (RAILCLIMA | Tampere Universities).

Your work will include:

Develop and validate experimental methods and advanced sensor instrumentation for onboard wheel–rail friction estimation.
Investigate the operational and environmental conditions under which wheel–rail friction can be estimated accurately and reliably.
Develop methods for wheel slip detection using existing vehicle sensor signals and operational data.
Design and implement hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation platforms for wheel friction control.

As a Doctoral Researcher you are expected to perform overviews of state of the art, to study the principles of vehicle dynamics, friction formulation, mechatronics, signal processing and vibration analysis and experimentation instrumentation. You are also expected to develop the computational algorithms, to generate experimental results, to analyze and validate them on use case(s) through comparison with the state of the art.

The results of your research will be disseminated in scientific peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, doctoral network events and events with industry. The tasks of doctoral researchers also include teaching duties that amount to approximately 5% of their annual working hours, unless there are justified reasons to the contrary.

Requirements

You need to have a master’s degree in

Mechanical engineering, with a focus on vehicle dynamics and mechatronics
Automatic control or control Engineering

Beneficial skills (not mandatory)

Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or equivalent tools for modelling, simulation, data analysis, and algorithm development.
Strong knowledge of system identification, sensor fusion, signal processing, and control systems, with the ability to apply these methods to real-world engineering challenges.
Familiarity with vehicle dynamics, wheel–rail contact mechanics, traction control, braking systems, or related transportation applications.

Successful candidates must be pursued or will be accepted to study towards a doctoral degree in the doctoral programme of the discipline. Please visit the admissions webpage https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/programmes/doctoral-programmes for more information on eligibility requirements.

Candidates are selected based on the level of promise that they show, and this will be evaluated on the basis of their study and research plans, their previous success in studies, and merits in writing the doctoral thesis and / or scientific publishing.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition bildung, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of maximum three (3) years. The starting date is beginning of 2027 or as mutually agreed. A trial period of six (6) 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 salary system of Finnish universities. A typical starting salary for Doctoral Researchers is approximately 3000 EUR/month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education.

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.

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.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 30th November 2026 (23:59 EET / UTC +2). Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach only the following documents to your application:

Curriculum Vitae, e.g., according to TENK guidelines
List of publications
A letter of motivation, highlighting your achievements and ambition. Please indicate your preferred topic of research from the job descriptions and your most important work/publications and/or other achievements.
Short listed applicants will be asked to submit a short research plan.
Pdf copy of your MSc and BSc degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records and their English translations (Finnish and Swedish certificates are also accepted).
Certificate of language proficiency.

For further information, please contact:

Assistant Professor, Xinxin Yu, Xinxin.yu (at) tuni.fi

Doctoral Researcher (Railway wheel friction estimation and control)

Job description

Requirements

We offer

How to apply

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