05 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Aalto University, Finland

The Adaptive Design for AI-Driven Processes in Transforming Dynamic Landscapes (ADAPT) project develops scalable, data-driven design methodologies that transform dynamic environmental processes, such as sedimentation, meltwater flow, and vegetation change, into active drivers of adaptive design. This interdisciplinary work combines advanced computational tools, including 4D point cloud modeling and state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning techniques (such as generative adversarial networks), with empirical fieldwork in Norwegian glacier environments.

As a Postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in advancing AI-enhanced adaptive design tools, immersive simulations, and computational workflows that redefine how we design for climate-driven environmental change. You will collaborate with world-leading partners including ETH Zurich, MIT Media Lab, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

The Structured and Stochastic Modeling Group, headed by Prof. Filip Elvander, conducts research in statistical signal processing, ranging from investigating fundamental properties of the mathematical descriptions of signals, to applied research in array signal processing. We are now looking for an outstanding Doctoral Researcher or Postdoctoral Researcher to join the group.

The research project is concerned with the challenging problem of modeling the complex modern radio environment, where a diverse set of devices and agents share the available spectrum. In this environment, it is crucial to understand the spatio-temporal radio characteristics, i.e. what, when, and from where signals are transmitted. Applications of the envisioned research results include cognitive and adaptive spectrum use as well as localization of targets or signal sources in passive-sensing settings. This is central to future 6G wireless communications applications, where radio-frequency sensing and data transfer (ISAC) are integrated into the same devices.

The research project is part of a larger consortium, gathering world-class researchers in remote sensing with expertise ranging from estimation and optimization theory to hardware design. The specific topic of the project falls in the intersection of statistical signal processing and applied mathematics and is in particular concerned with optimal transport for inverse problems.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a project focused on understanding the role of post-translational modifications in shaping the assembly and functional properties of protein-based materials. In this position, you will develop methods for the recombinant production of post-translationally modified structural proteins, investigate their effects on material assembly and properties, and design new, functional materials. In the project, we are particularly interested in modifying proteins relevant for biomaterials, including silk- and collagen-proteins, with the aim of developing novel sustainable yet high-performing and functional biomaterials.

The successful candidate will join our Cellular Engineering research group, which operates at the interface of molecular biotechnology, protein engineering, and biomolecular materials. Our research aims to advance microbial production of sustainable solutions. To enable this, we develop methods for biomolecular protein-conjugation reactions as well as enzymatic post-translational modifications, including phosphorylations, hydroxylations, and glycosylations. We apply and develop ultra-high throughput screening technologies to facilitate efficient optimization of the enzymes and products. The applications of this research span enzyme technologies to functional biomaterials.

The research concentrates on the physics of relativistic jets launched from accreting supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGN). These black hole powered jets are among the most energetic long-lived phenomena in the Universe and despite their ubiquity, many of the fundamental questions regarding their physics are still open. For example, one of the most fundamental properties, the composition of these jets is still unknown. The jets can consist of either electron-positron pairs, electron-proton plasma where also protons are present and accelerated, or an admixture of the two. The composition affects the power of the jet and the presence or lack of hadrons is a crucial ingredient in modelling the multi-wavelength and multi-messenger emission of these jets. If the jets are hadronic, they are likely the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays.

In PARTICLES, we aim at solving the particle composition of relativistic jets through full-polarization observations of AGN. Your task is to participate in commissioning and calibration of the new triple-band radio receiver. This includes participating in the development of a single-dish data analysis pipeline for full Stokes observations and conducting calibration observations with the new receiver. Additionally, you will get to participate in a new VLBI program where full Stokes observations at millimeter wavelengths are conducted.

Project 1: Gravitational coupling between nonclassical masses

This project aims to address one of the great unresolved challenges in physics: While quantum mechanics successfully describes low-energy phenomena, it is incompatible with general relativity which governs gravity and huge energies. The interface between these two has remained experimentally elusive, because only the most violent events in the universe have been considered to produce measurable effects due to the plausible quantum behavior of gravity. We aim at detecting gravitational forces for the first time within a quantum system. We use mechanical oscillators loaded by milligram masses and bring two such gravitationally interacting oscillators into nonclassical motional states. The initial phase of the project focuses on measuring the gravitational force between milligram-scale gold particles, representing a new mass scale showing gravitational forces within a system. This work is part of the ERC Advanced Grant project “GUANTUM: Probing the limits of quantum mechanics and gravity with micromechanical oscillators”.

Project 2: Remote connection and strong coupling in coherent electromechanics

We utilize “microwave optomechanical” devices, where micromechanical membrane oscillators interact with on-chip microwave cavity resonators. Optomechanical techniques allow for both preparing, measuring and manipulation of the mechanical quantum states. So far, true quantum states in such systems have been reached in only in physically adjacent components. We aim to extend this to remotely connected electromechanical systems capable of sharing a quantum state. This opens possibilities for fundamental studies in remote entanglement and quantum teleportation of mechanical states, as well as ultra-sensitive detection of weak, long-range forces—such as those predicted by physics beyond the Standard Model. Distant, coupled microwave optomechanical systems can also be utilized for quantum information transmission. In this project, two electromechanical quantum chips are connected via superconducting cables at millikelvin temperatures. The vibrating membranes will be realized with a phononic crystal radiation shield, enabling ultrahigh mechanical quality factors. In the project we are also interested in increasing the electromechanical coupling by creating a nanometer-size vacuum gap connection to the vibrating membrane via nanopositioning.  This work is part of European Union’s Quantera Program project “MQSens: Quantum Sensing with Nonclassical Mechanical Oscillators”, where opto-/electromechanics is utilized to explore how quantum protocols can be adapted to mechanical sensors in the quantum regime for various applications.