Innovation Postdoc – Artificial Intelligence

Aalto University is home to researchers working at the frontier of artificial intelligence. Some of that work has the potential to become more than research — to address real problems, create new industries, and contribute to Finland's deep tech future. The Innovation Postdoc exists to support that transition.

This is a 12-month funded position for doctoral researchers and postdocs who have a concrete result, technology, or invention with commercial potential, and who are ready to dedicate their full focus to exploring it. You will work on validating your technology with real users and partners, developing a business model, and preparing for the next step — whether that is external investment, a spinout, or another commercialisation pathway — supported by Aalto's innovation infrastructure, coaching network, and peer community.

No prior business experience is required. What we are looking for is research with genuine differentiation, and a researcher with the drive to find out what it can become.

What you will do

As an ‘Innovation Postdoc’, your work is 100% focused on increasing the innovation readiness level of your research. Your responsibilities include:

• Conducting structured problem and market validation through customer discovery interviews and stakeholder engagement
• Developing technology if needed – with ‘product’ in mind.
• Testing and iterating your technology with real-world users and partners
• Developing a compelling business model and go-to-market strategy
• Preparing for external investment, spinout formation, or other commercialization pathways
• Participating in the Innovation Postdoc program activities, coaching sessions, and peer community (eg trade fair, Business Generator workshops, some events at The Founder House Helsinki etc.)

Who we are looking for

You do not need a business background, but you must be ready to adapt. We are looking for researchers with the mindset of a founder.

Required:

• Doctoral degree (PhD) completed or submitted the thesis, from Aalto University
• You have a doctoral degree in other universities, but working at Aalto University as a postdoctoral researcher
• A concrete research result, technology, or invention with a clear differentiation and commercial potential in the corresponding field
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive projects forward under uncertainty

We value attitudes like:

• Obsession with a real-world problem, not just the technology – you are driven by the desire to solve something that matters
• Coachability and open-mindedness – you are ready to step outside the academic bubble, actively seek feedback from customers and mentors, and change course when the evidence demands it
• Adaptability and resilience – you understand that building a deep-tech spinout is a journey of uncertainty, and you treat setbacks as data, not failure
• Business curiosity – you do not need a degree, but you are genuinely interested in how value is created and captured. You think about markets, customers, and competition, not just technical performance.
• Eagerness for impact – you have a technology with strong differentiation and are motivated to see it applied and scaled in the real world.
• ‘can-do’ attitude – you are ready to figure out what you don't know, roll up your sleeves, and get things done even without a clear roadmap

What we offer

We provide an environment for innovation, removing the friction so you can focus on building.

• Funded Runway: A 12-month salaried contract at the postdoctoral researcher level, focused 100% on increasing the innovation readiness of your work
• Milestone-based funding top-ups to support validation activities, prototyping, or external engagement
• Structured milestone framework: clear deliverables and check-ins throughout the program to keep your validation on track
• Scientific mentorship: continued access to and support from Aalto professors and domain experts to ensure your technology development stays reigorous
• Access to Aalto's research infrastructures – depending on the field, such as BioEconomy facilities, computing clusters, LUMI Supercomputer, OtaNano, and more.
• Dedicated Innovation Space: A physical environment designed for commercialization, separated from daily academic duties, based in A-Grid
• Streamlined IP Support: Professional guidance on IP transfer and standardized spinout terms designed to attract top-tier investors
• Aalto Inventors community – peer cohort of fellow deep-tech researchers across fields, building alongside you
• Access to Aalto Inventors and Business Generator accelerator workshops: hands-on sessions covering the full journey from lab to market
• Extensive Network: Personalized coaching from a curated network of deep-tech investors, serial entrepreneurs and industry leaders – including founding partners of top Nordic VC funds and executives with successful exits.
• Access to The Founders House Helsinki - events, community, and co-working space at the heart of Helsinki's startup scene
• Pathway into the Nordic startup ecosystem – including access to the Slush Spinout track
• Comprehensive toolkit to build up your business knowledge

The position includes occupational health care and retirement benefits in accordance with Finnish employment law and the collective agreement for Finnish universities.

Application instructions

Before applying, please read this instruction carefully. The applications must be submitted through Aalto University’s recruitment system.

The steps required for submission are outlined here.

• The application portal closes on August 13th, 2026, 23:59. We recommend you submit your application a couple of days prior to the deadline to ensure proper processing.
• Documents and naming conventions

The documents mentioned below must be submitted as part of the Innovation Postdoc application. All documents must be submitted as PDF files (max. 5 MB in total) unless otherwise stated. Please use the following naming conventions for your documents and add your full name on each page of documents.

• FamilyName_Firstname-degree transcript
• FamilyName_First name-Innovation Statement: Tell us why you are obsessed with this problem/opportunity, a time you failed and recovered, and what non-technical skills you want to master (1 page)
• FamilyName_Firstname-Path to Pilot: Your roadmap for problem validation (1 page)
• FamilyName_Firstname-CV
• Any other materials you want to present, Familyname_Firstname-FILENAME
• Video presentation upload

Please upload your video presentation as MP4 to a plafrom of your choice. The video should not exceed 90 seconds. Generate a link to the video and paste it into the respective field in the application form.

For further information and questions, contact myungji.suh@aalto.fi

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