Doctoral Researcher in GenAI and Agent System Research

We invite applications for a fully funded doctoral researcher working in the REINFORCE project at the Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki. 

REINFORCE project (Automatic Detection and Correction of Industrial Design Flaws – Towards Fail-Safe Industries) is a Business Finland funded research project with the objective to develop a new type of computer-aided design platform that supports engineers in design, manufacturing, robotics and cybersecurity among research collaboration of University of Helsinki, Tampere University, and University of Jyväskylä. For this position, your work will focus on exploring generative AI and building agent system to support the design process. You will work with Professor Sasu Tarkoma and Dr. Xiaoli Liu.

Requirements

- A master's degree in computer science or a related topic
- Knowledge of generative AI and familiar or having experience with building agent system
- Motivation to research generative AI and agent system for manufacture design
- Solid programming skills in python
- Proven software engineering skills 
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and able to work collaboratively

In addition, according to the system of the University of Helsinki, all doctoral researchers belong to a doctoral programme. The successful candidate should apply to Doctoral Programme in Science and obtain the study right within the trial period of six months of their employment contract. Please check the admission periods and eligibility criteria at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-doctoral-programmes/how-apply-doctoral-programmes.

We offer

- The opportunity to do GenAI and Agent System research 
- A world class academic community that promotes diversity, international engagement and equality. We encourage all qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our positions.
- An initial two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of a two-year extension, subject to a successful first-phase evaluation of the REINFORCE project and the subsequent funding of REINFORCE project’s second phase.
- A starting salary is about 2700 euros/month. The salary will develop in accordance with the progress of the studies. 
- Comprehensive services to its employees, such as occupational health care and health insurance. 
- Support for internationally recruited employees with their transition to work and live in Finland
- A chance to live in Helsinki and Finland renowned for their high-quality of life, services, and work-life balance

A trial period of 6 months will be applied, and the salaries will be based on the University salary scheme for teaching and research personnel composed of both task specific and personal performance components. 

Application instructions

Applications shall be submitted through the University of Helsinki´s recruitment system and include the following documents:

- A motivation letter (max 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including link to a Google Scholar profile if having
- Transcripts from previous degrees 
- Contact information of two referees

External applicants, please submit your application via the Apply Now button.

Internal applicants, who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment/grant/visitor contract, please submit your application via the Employee login button.

The deadline for the applications is 15th of March 2026, but the position will be filled immediately once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

Additional information

For more information on the position, please contact Dr. Xiaoli Liu (xiaoli.liu@helsinki.fi) and Prof. Sasu Tarkoma (sasu.tarkoma@helsinki.fi). 

With technical questions related to the recruitment system, please contact recruitment@helsinki.fi.  

***
The Department of Computer Science is a leading unit in Finland in its area and responsible for the teaching and research in computer science at the University of Helsinki. The main research fields at the department are artificial intelligence, big data frameworks, bioinformatics, data analysis, data science, discrete and machine learning algorithms, distributed, intelligent, and interactive systems, networks, security, and software and database systems. The department has extensive international collaboration with companies and universities. Within teaching, the department’s professors and staff are in charge of the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programmes in Computer Science, as well as the separate Master’s Programme in Data Science, in which other departments also participate.