Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community's diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community .
The Aalto School of Arts, Design and Architecture is a Nordic leader in higher education for design, fashion, games, media, architecture, film, art education and art. We produce world-class research in art education, design and design thinking, digital media and visual culture, urban planning and architecture. We educate students to be global citizens, contributing to their communities with imaginative, collaborative, compassionate and unconventional approaches to some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today.
The Learning Environments research group is looking for a
Doctoral Candidate in New Media for Learning and Education
to carry out research, design and development of the future of learning and education in the age of AI & robotics.
Your role and goals
In this position, you will do research and doctoral studies on New Media. Your research will be related to our collaboration with the Project Eklavya of the ARTPARK. In the project we are developing new models, methods and practice to embrace AI & robotics and leverage them to delve deeper into the process of learning itself. In addition to helping people to learn better, our aim is to help educators with improved pedagogy, learning environments and tools towards a modern, inclusive and personalized education for every child. Part of your work is also to strengthen research collaboration between Finland and India and participate in project planning and grant application writing.
India is moving closer to the peak of its fabled “demographic dividend” - the peak is estimated to take place in 2041, when nearly 60% of India's population is expected to be of working age. The entire younger half of this working population is currently below 20 years of age. The foundations of their work life are being laid - some in schools, some in colleges, some entirely out of the traditional education system, some are already working.
You will join an active research group, which research is linked to several other research projects closely related to AI and robotics.
Your network and team
The Learning Environments research group carries out research and design in the areas of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL); information and communication technology (ICT) in learning (PC/tablets/mobile phones, tangible UIs, VR/AR, AI & robotics.); ICT in creative group work and design; ICT in empowerment through learning; and learning environments enhanced with technology. The group's approach to research and design of New Media and learning is theory-based but design-oriented. This means that besides the academic research papers the outcomes of the group are often software systems, software prototypes, applications, and scenarios.
The group's works are based on the social constructivist theory that sees learning as participation in social processes of knowledge construction. The members of the group come from very different backgrounds covering education, computer science, and design, but they all share the same pedagogical thinking.
ARTPARK (www. artpark.in, AI & Robotics Technology Park) is promoted by IISc (Indian Institute of Science) is a not for profit, section 8 company, set up by a seed grant of $32mn by DST and Govt. of Karnataka.
Your experience and ambitions
You have a Master's degree in design, new media, computer science, education or equivalent. You may already have experience in the field of educational technology or learning design. You may also have some programming skills and interest in learning more about AI and robotics. We expect you to be open- minded, radically creative and interested in working in a team. You need to have some hands-on experience of designing and developing digital educational tools. We love hackers.
We expect you to be familiar with the educational landscape of India and experienced in working in the educational field. You must be willing to travel and do part of your research in Bangalore, India.
In this position you will apply the study right for doctoral studies in Aalto University ARTS. Thus, please check the student information and application criteria.
What we offer
The expected starting salary for a doctoral candidate is approximately 2500 €/month. As an employer, Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities as well as occupational health care services, commuter ticket benefit and versatile exercise services by Unisport. Finland has a comprehensive social security system. Preferable starting time is in the spring of 2023.
More information
If you wish to hear more about the position, please contact Associate Professor Teemu Leinonen, teemu.leinonen(at)aalto.fi. In recruitment process related questions, please contact HR Coordinator Karoliina Walldén, hr- dam(at)aalto.fi.
Ready to apply?
Please submit your application through our recruiting system and include the following documents in English in a single pdf file:
Application period closes on 7th of November 2022 , but we will start reviewing candidates immediately. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Please note: Aalto University's employees and visitors should apply for the position via our internal system Workday -> find jobs (not external aalto.fi webpage of open positions) by using their existing Workday user account.
About Aalto University, Helsinki and Finnish society
At Aalto, high-quality research, art, education and entrepreneurship are promoted hand in hand. Disciplinary excellence is combined with multidisciplinary activities, engaging both students and the local innovation ecosystem. Our main campus is quickly transforming into an open collaboration hub that encourages encounters between students, researchers, industry, startups and other partners. Aalto University was founded in 2010 as three leading Finnish universities, Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki, were merged to strengthen Finland's innovative capability.
The greater Helsinki region is a world-class information technology complex, attracting leading scientists and researchers in various fields of electrical engineering. As a living and working environment, Finland consistently ranks high in quality of life, and Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is regularly ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Finns are proud to say that we have one of the best education systems in the world. The Nordic values of equality and co-operation are deeply rooted in our society. We are one of the world's top countries in happiness, clean air and nature, press freedom and consider the many voices in our society a strength. With high investments in R&D, a strong innovation culture, open data and advanced state of digitalization, we are a nation of innovation and entrepreneurship. Gender equality, flexibility and the low hierarchy are at the core of our Nordic working environment. Having four seasons, clean air and thousands of lakes, we are nature-loving people who take good care of our unique environment. For more information about living in Finland see Aalto´s pages for international staff.
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