Doctoral Researcher in Modularisation of Partly configurable solutions (DSII) – Tampere, Finland

The Doctoral School of Industry Innovations (DSII) at Tampere University (TAU) explores research questions that are directly relevant to industry and business. Tampere University hires a Doctoral Researcher to complete a four-year dissertation project under the joint supervision of a university professor and a company representative.

DSII offers Doctoral Researchers a unique opportunity to undertake dissertation research, gain a thorough understanding of product development, tackle real-world business challenges and expand their professional networks.

The partner company for this position is Cimcorp Oy. Cimcorp Group has been simplifying material flows since 1975. They  improve customers’ profitability by offering unique solutions for automation. The reliable robotic systems run with easy-to-use software, optimized for intralogistics, and lifetime services secure customers’ success in business. “As a global system integrator, we make it possible for our customers – who work mainly in grocery retail and the tire industry – to succeed in their market, today and tomorrow.” With a worldwide network of offices and partners – and as a member of Murata Machinery Ltd., one of the world’s largest logistics automation suppliers – Cimcorp offers local support globally.

Job description

The purpose of the job is to create new knowledge for academia and industry in the field of Design Science on Modularisation of partly configurable products .

The purpose of this research is to create new knowledge in Design Science by developing Brownfield Hybrid Solution design process. The design process, including methodology and tools will serve as design support for developing Hybrid Product Architecture for Cimcorp.  The Architecture will ensure that maximum benefits are achieved with modularisation and engineering-to-delivery. The main research question is how to enable efficient and effective sales configuration of partly configurable products? The underlying challenge is to model engineering to delivery (i.e. flow based engineering) and Module System (i.e. architecture based engineering) in such manner that engineering knowledge is reusable and manageable.

The position of a Doctoral Researcher offers you the opportunity to concentrate on your doctoral studies while receiving high-quality supervision and encouragement to develop your ideas within an innovative and multidisciplinary research environment with industry. In addition to conducting research for your dissertation, your position includes some teaching or other duties in the faculty related to your studies.

The doctoral research focuses on the development of methodology and tools supporting the design of partly configurable product. The project pilots and design support widen our research infrastructure and will serve as test cases for the general methodology. The methodology and tools are then implemented in different companies, supported and facilitated by the team. The results will be disseminated in scientific peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, doctoral network events and events with industry. The tasks of all Doctoral Researchers will also include teaching duties that amount to approximately 5% of their annual working hours, unless there are justified reasons to the contrary.

In this position you can develop your personal expertise on the partly configurable product design. After this project, you will have the possibility to consider either an academic career or a  career in the industry.

At the university, the work will be supervised by Prof. Tero Juuti. You will also be supported by practitioners in the steering group, including company representatives. By participating in DSII events, excursions, meetings and training sessions with your fellow doctoral students, you will both get and provide peer support.

Remote work opportunities are agreed upon separately when needed.

Requirements

• Up-to-date and in-depth knowledge about the modular product development, ETO-products and partly configurable products
• A suitable higher university degree in engineering, or equivalent with excellent grades.
• Demonstrated competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies.
• A very good command in both spoken and written English; a good Finnish language skill is also needed as you will work with Finnish companies.
• Possibility to work at Cimcorp premises and Tampere University’s Hervanta campus.
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently and communicate clearly in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
• Creative, inquisitive, independent and critical thinking and a sustainability mindset, ability to adapt to emerging challenges in the research circumstances.
• Ambition to do academic studies, scientific curiosity, innovative and open mindset to conduct research in a large international consortium.
• Adequate methodological and theoretical capabilities.
• Interest in qualitative and quantitative research, conducting of literature reviews and in working with companies and end users of methodology and tools.

Please note that before commencing the position, the selected candidate must apply for a study right within the doctoral programme at Tampere University, unless they already have one. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements.

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 you can embrace and promote these values in your work.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of four (4) years, commencing in September 2023 or as soon after that as possible. 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 Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a doctoral researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2500 EUR per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

We invite you to participate in a vibrant, active and international research community. Our research team Business oriented Modularisation is delivering state of the art research in Design Science.

The University is strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. The faculty and the Doctoral School of Industry Innovations support the doctoral students by offering training and peer support. Doctoral students in DSII develop vital skills, enabling them to conduct agile, customer-oriented research, development and business.The University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several on-campus restaurants and cafés with staff discounts.  Please read more about working at Tampere University.

Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of the Finland´s three most rapidly growing urban areas 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. For more information on Tampere, please visit here.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 13.9.2023 (23:59 EEST / 20.59 UTC). 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:

• A letter of motivation and description of your research interests (max. 1 A4 page)
• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template  (including the contact details of two referees).
• List of publications
• Degree certificates
• Transcript of records (master’s degree studies).

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Tero Juuti, tero.juuti(at)tuni.fi

Application period starts: 2023-08-23 13:00 Application period ends: 2023-09-13 23:59