Research assistant / summer trainee (Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering Unit), 5-10 po

Together, Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences form a higher education community that places faith in people and scientific knowledge. Leading experts in the fields of technology, health and society are changing the world at Finland’s second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution. www.tuni.fi/en

The Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering Unit (ATME) at Tampere University invites applications for several summer trainee positions in the fields of Innovative Hydraulics and Automation, Process Control, FAST-Lab, Dependable Systems Automation CyberLab, and Mechatronics. The Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering Unit (ATME) at Tampere University invites applications for several (at least 6) summer trainee positions in the fields of Innovative Hydraulics and Automation, Process Control, FAST-Lab, Dependable Systems Automation CyberLab, and Mechatronics. 

Job description

The research assistants / summer trainees will assist the research groups at ATME by performing a broad variety of tasks. The research interests of our groups cover a wide range of fields, including robotics, automation, modularisation, integration and automation programming, and numerical algorithms. ATME seeks to maintain a balance between basic and industrially applicable research and has been recognised for research excellence in both areas.

The positions will be filled for a fixed-term period of 3 months, commencing on 1 June 2026 or as mutually agreed. A trial period of 1 month will apply.

1) FAST-Lab

As summer trainee, you will take part in reorganising FAST-Lab’s research and teaching laboratory and creating the related safety policies. Your tasks will involve robotics, automation, integration and programming. In the field of robotics, you will also perform tasks relating to collaboration between a mobile robot and an industrial robot (safety, communication and mechanics).

2) Innovative Hydraulics and Automation 

Summer trainee in IHA Zonal hydraulics group will Improve her/his simulation and practical skills! A trainee will work on the further development of electro-hydraulic hydraulics concept and AI-based condition monitoring for the electric and hybrid off-road mobile machinery, assist with following:

1. Development of Hybrid off-road machinery based on Hardware in the loop: Digital twin integration to HIL (Matlab&Simulink, Amesim, Mevea, Labview), development of electro-hydraulic actuator concepts (Twincat, Beckhoff, Codesys)
2. Transparent cylinder test rig: capture cavitation with high-speed camera  and model based control (Matlab&Simulink, dSpace)
3. High voltage Hybrid test rig: commissioning of electric motors and ICE (Matlab&Simulink, dSpace, CANbus, Bosch Rexroth), BMS for 660V DC high voltage battery.
4. sWille hybrid wheel loader, development of controllers and power management systems
5. Accelerated pump test rig: developing and testing AI-based Remaining useful life methodologies and health aware controls

3) Dependable Systems Automation CyberLab 

Multiple topics suitable for summer trainee in extending Tampere Cyber City e.g. integrating steam engine as PLC controlled power supply for the Cyber City street lights, integrating traffic lights and wirelessly controlled for Lego train as traffic management solution, building a AR model (Digital Twin) of the Cyber City and integrating real-time measurements to the model, converting existing VR model of distillation process into AR model and integrating real-time measurements to the model, integrating Valmet DNA into distillation process AR model and many more. Depending on the subject the report language requirement may be Finnish since the outcomes are used in Critical Infrastructure Cyber Security Training in Finland. Required interest areas should be some subset of the following:

·AR/VR technologies

·Programmable Logic Controllers

·Data integration and visualisation 

·Electronics, also some knowledge on using a soldering iron

·Programming using some language (Visual Studio, Python)

·Familiarity with Windows or Linux

·Familiarity with Legos

·Willingness to read manuals, Googling information, learning new things and solving hands-on problems.

4) Manufacturing systems research group (MASYRE) 

Position 1:

Topic: Data collection, modelling and experimentation with the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) process for online real-time monitoring

Some of the research activities within the MASYRE group focus on controlling robotic welding and wire-arc additive manufacturing processes.  Various developments have been carried out in this area over the years. The group is trying to achieve several complementary goals. Firstly, they aim to generate control programs for welding robots that can adapt the welding process and trajectories dynamically during welding to compensate for inaccuracies. Secondly, they aim to exploit different sensors to extract useful information for monitoring the process and measuring the results. Thirdly, the group is developing advanced control algorithms that can supplement traditional robot programs with an intelligent layer that can adapt robotic welding processes in real time.

Interest areas for the trainees: Various summer job opportunities are available alongside this research programme. Those interested in control theories and mechatronics can consider developing new algorithms and applying them to real production systems. 

Those interested in production planning can study, apply and test the different strategies used in the research to reduce robotic programme preparation time. Trainees interested in experimental work can participate in various experimental campaigns taking place in the summer within our laboratory. Trainees can participate in the experimental process and learn how to plan and organise experiments using Design of Experiments methods, exploiting these experiments to generate models for manufacturing processes.

Position 2:

Topic: Participation in a new type of computer aided system aiming at designing, resolving weaknesses and generating innovative solutions

Part of the research activity within the MASYRE group focuses on developing new computer-aided methods and tools for design. The group is currently developing a revolutionary software platform that can automatically detect and correct design weaknesses to generate innovative solutions. The platform’s development involves: 

– the use of retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and LLM fine tuning.

– several advanced methodologies associated with machine learning and artificial intelligence. 

The development of novel algorithms and associated code for the Dimensional Analysis Conceptual Modelling (DACM) method. DACM is a new modelling and machine learning approach developed within the group.

Interest areas for the trainees: 

Various summer job opportunities are available alongside this research programme. Trainees interested in AI can consider different application domains within the group. 

• Contribution to the development of agentic AI for the software platform. 
• Contribution to the development of new algorithms for the DACM framework.

All tasks will be carried out in close collaboration with the group’s doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers

5) Digital Design and Manufacturing (D2M) 

Research on optimization of digital design to manufacturing workflows:

Passionate about shaping the future of engineering design, manufacturing, and sustainability? Join the D²M Laboratory as a Summer Trainee and work on exciting projects in one of these areas:

1️⃣ Product Design: Advanced modeling (FEA, CFD, topology optimization) and data-driven simulations.
2️⃣ Process Monitoring and Optimization: Additive manufacturing, hybrid processes, sensor-technologies, Deep-learning, and AI-driven optimization.

3️⃣Sustainable Manufacturing: Green digital twins, energy-efficient workflows, and sustainable manufacturing solutions.

🔹 What We Offer:

Hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools. Real-world research challenges in a collaborative environment. Skills development in computational mechanics, AI, and sustainability.

The possibility to shape your summer job into a M.Sc. thesis

🔹 What We’re Looking For:

Passion for innovation and interest in at least one area and curiosity and eagerness to explore interdisciplinary topics.

We do not expect that you are an expert in all these research areas, but your study record and personal interest need to relate to at least one RA, and you need to show interest in exploring other RAs. During the application, the summer trainee will need to specify his/her preferred research RA:  

* A detailed plan will be drafted after selecting the candidate

6) Product Development and Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

Summer teaching and development of online learning environments for the courses.

The work consists of four areas:

• Teaching the exercises and grading the assignments for the course KONE.110 Modeling and Documentation.
• Developing the KONE.110 Moodle page (progression structure, exam options, etc.).
• Developing the ENS.510 Creative Problem Solving course workspace on the Klubi platform and its Moodle page.
• Developing learning materials for the courses KONE.160 and KONE.220, and producing the 3D‑printed parts used in teaching.

The goal is to create updated versions of the course learning platforms during the summer, so both courses must be completed, and KONE.110 as well as KONE.160 completed with a good grade.

7) Cognitive Robotics

As summer worker you will be working on different topics from research projects, related to robotics, human-robot collaboration and visual perception.: https://research.tuni.fi/cogrob  Your tasks will be evaluation of different tools, developing automated scripts for evaluation and reporting. This will give you hands-on experience in robotics, by programming with ROS and C++/Python. 

8) Dependability and Automation Research in Cyber-Physical Systems (DARES) Group

The DARES Group addresses a key challenge in modern automation: keeping large-scale, interconnected systems safe and operational in the presence of faults, disturbances, and cyber threats. From energy and power systems to industrial automation, transportation, and smart urban infrastructures, these systems must safely continue to function even when components fail or communication is disrupted. The group develops monitoring, diagnosis, and resilient control solutions that allow cyber-physical systems to detect abnormal behavior, identify its causes, and adjust their operation to maintain safety, availability, and acceptable performance.

As a summer trainee in the DARES Group, you will take part in a hands-on laboratory project that directly contributes to building long-term research and educational capacity around a newly acquired real-time cyber-physical testbed, integrated within an existing ”Cyber City” (smart city) simulation environment. The Cyber City infrastructure enables realistic, lab-scale experimentation across interconnected urban domains such as smart electricity grids, control systems, communication networks, and human–machine interaction. Your contributions will help establish reusable experimental setups that support future theses, research studies, and lab-based courses, while providing valuable training in cyber-physical systems, simulation, and dependable automation.

Desired Background: Studies in embedded systems, automation, electrical engineering, or related fields; Interest in cyber-physical systems, simulation, control, or cybersecurity; Programming experience (MATLAB/Simulink or Python).

9) Tribology of machine elements (machine design) 

Are you curious about how friction, wear, lubrication, and surface damage affect machine elements? For example, how components seize or fail due to insufficient lubrication? Join our research group and gain hands-on experience in tribology!

As a summer trainee, you will work in the Tribology laboratory (Konetalo, Hall 2) to support the group’s industry-related research concerning topics such as green fuels. Your tasks may include:

• Preparing and conducting experiments using specialized tribology test devices.
• Analyzing and reporting experimental results (measurement data analysis, microscopy etc.)
• Learning commonly used measurement methods and experimental research practices.

In addition to laboratory work, there are opportunities to contribute to design and development or simulation tasks related to test devices, depending on your interests and skills.

This position is ideal for students who want practical experience in experimental mechanics and tribology while working in a collaborative research environment.

10) Machine dynamics (machine design) 

As a summer trainee in the Machine Design Group, you will be trained to use different sensors (such as hydraulic force sensors, strain gauges, displacement sensors) to conduct wheel-rail contact force measurements in vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions, hydraulic force measurements, as well as the stress of the frame of the full-scale wheel-rail test rig during heavy loading. The rig is located in Hall 5 at KoneTalo (Full-Scale Wheel-Rail Lab | Tampere universities).  Familiarity with how to use sensors is a big plus.

11) Advanced Learning, Control and AutomatioN (ALCAN) Research Group

Our group (https://research.tuni.fi/alcan/) develops solutions for one of the greatest challenges in control of systems: safe and robust operation in all settings, especially for those directly interacting with humans such as autonomous vehicles, industrial machines operating around workers, and service robots among crowds. Optimizing a system’s performance and safety over time requires designing controllers that can (i) effectively handle uncertain and/or time-varying dynamics and (ii) adapt to changing conditions. Our group conducts research at the intersection of learning and control that address these challenges in robotics and automation.
 
 As a summer trainee, you will have an opportunity to contribute to research studies conducted in our group on autonomous mobile manipulation. Your role would include implementation of machine learning and optimal control methods in both simulation and real robots. Great programming skills (Python and maybe C++) are a must-have. Familiarity with machine learning and optimal control frameworks such as torch, Jax, Casadi is a big plus.  

12) Autonomous Mobile Machines research group 

Practically relevant, theoretically solid, we are building the future of the autonomous machines. We do

– Robotics for autonomous (heavy) working machines in forest, construction, and logistics applications.

– Advanced control, integrated perception and control, software and safety, drive and manipulation

Tasks are typically related to hardware and software development, working with simulators, and real machines or state-of-the-art sensors. 

Our Autonomous Mobile Machines Group | Tampere universities

13) Production Systems Technologies group 

Our group focuses on research on production systems and robotics in production. We maintain and use the RoboLab Tampere and HRC Pilot Line environments in our research and education. 

Applicant’s tasks are two fold – first to work in and develop the learning environments like RoboLab and secondly to evaluate students learning diaries for KONE.100 Johdanto tuotantotekniikkaan course. The first one relates to the teaching and development of robot cells in RoboLab environment or developing and implementing a piloting application in relation to our ongoing research projects with topics coming from the manufacturing industry. They are typically related to hardware and software development utilizing industrial robots, cobots, machine vision, grippers, feeders and other production equipment. Robot and PLC programming skills are needed, but mastering basics of programming is a sufficient starting point. 3D CAD and robot simulation skills and e.g. additive manufacturing knowledge to print prototypes are beneficial. Work requires practical problem solving, innovation, and self-discipline. Student might have possibilities to continue with MSc thesis or starting it already during the summer.

14) Automation Technology 

Option 1. Would you like to participate in digitalization of teaching and learning, considering current technologies, learning environments, and applications that support engineering pedagogy? In this role, you will implement automatically graded Moodle exams and PC exercises for basic courses in automation technology, which will help students learn smoothly regardless of time and space. In addition, you will develop a service concept for a digital learning environment where students receive automatic feedback on their own learning, aiming for inclusive and accessible teaching.

You will have the opportunity to develop yourself and influence teaching practices in the university through the following tasks:

• familiarize yourself with the teaching technologies and applications of current learning environments
• create automatically graded assignments and PC exercises in Moodle
• develop an automatically generated feedback mechanism linked to learning activities and student performance

Note: The working language is Finnish.

Option 2. Learning analytics enable anonymous data collection from learning environments in an ethically sustainable manner. The collected data can be used to develop teaching, support study progress, and improve learning outcomes using data analysis methods. Key areas of analysis include, for example, the impact of different course implementation methods on students’ time management, weekly activity, individual and group work processes, perceptions of workload, as well as course completion rates, grades, dropout rates, and student satisfaction. Learning analytics and data analysis also enable the creation of performance prediction models. Predictions can be used, for example, to identify and help students who likely need assistance in progressing with their studies at an early stage.

You will have the opportunity to develop yourself and influence teaching in the university through the following tasks:

• familiarize yourself with the data analysis tools of learning analytics applications
• analyse and compare learning analytics data collected over several years
• create performance prediction models related to implementation methods
• participate in publishing activities related to the analyses

Note: The working language is Finnish.

Requirements:

We are looking for science and engineering students who enjoy problem-solving, have the ability to think independently and work in an international research environment, and possess good social and team working skills. Potential candidates include, for example, students in their 1^st to 4^th year who have successfully completed their studies, for example, in automation or mechanical engineering. A good command of both spoken and written English will be considered an advantage.

We offer: 

The summer trainee programme is a perfect opportunity to join a vibrant, international and multicultural research environment and gain first-hand insights into the world of research. Becoming a summer trainee is also an ideal occasion to get involved in cutting-edge research. Summer trainees will be encouraged to discuss potential BSc and MSc thesis topics relating to their traineeship with professors at ATME. In fact, most of our summer trainees stay with us to earn a master’s degree and later continue their studies towards a PhD. 

The salary will be based on both the job demands 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 research assistant is placed on the job demand level 1. In addition, employees will receive performance-based salary, which in the case of research assistants is based on the number of credits they have earned towards their degree. A typical starting salary for research assistant is approximately 2200 euros / month. 

How to apply:

Please submit your application by filling out the online application form. The closing date for applications is 9^th February 2026 (23.59 EET / UTC +2).

Applications and attachments must be written in English. The required attachments are a CV, a letter of motivation and a transcript of studies in pdf format.

You can apply for multiple positions by submitting a single application form. In your application, please indicate your preferred research area ().in the application form.

For more information, please contact: 

FAST-Lab: Matti Aarnio matti.aarnio@tuni.fi 

Innovative Hydraulics and Automation: Tatiana Minav tatiana.minav@tuni.fi and Mikko Huova mikko.huova@tuni.fi

Dependable Systems Automation CyberLab: Jari Seppälä jari.seppala@tuni.fi  or Mikko Salmenperä mikko.salmenpera@tuni.fi 

Manufacturing systems research group (MASYRE): Eric Coatanéa eric.coatanea@tuni.fi

Digital Design and Manufacturing (D2M): Inigo Flores Ituarte inigo.floresituarte@tuni.fi

Product Development and Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) Mikko Vanhatalo mikko.vanhatalo@tuni.fi or Teemu Launis  teemu.launis@tuni.fi 

Cognitive Robotics: Roel Pieters, roel.pieters@tuni.fi 

Tribology and design of machine elements (machine design): Janne Juoksukangas janne.juoksukangas@tuni.fi

Machine dynamics (machine design): Xinxin Yu, xinxin.yu@tuni.fi 

Advanced Learning, Control and AutomatioN (ALCAN): Gokhan Alcan gokhan.alcan@tuni.fi 

Autonomous Mobile Machines research group: Reza Ghabcheloo: reza.ghabcheloo@tuni.fi

Dependability and Automation Research in Cyber-Physical Systems (DARES) Group :Hamed Badihi hamed.badihi@tuni.fi

Production Systems Technologies group: Niko Siltala niko.siltala@tuni.fi and Jyrki Latokartano jyrki.latokartano@tuni.fi

Automation Technology: Veli-Pekka Pyrhönen veli-pekka.pyrhonen@tuni.fi

Questions about the recruitment process: HR Specialist  Titta Syväoja (TAU) , titta.syvaoja@tuni.fi

*********

Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Automaatio- ja konetekniikan yksikkö palkkaa 5-10  tutkimusapulaista / kesäharjoittelijaa. Tehtävät liittyvät tutkimusryhmissä tehtävään tutkimukseen. Tutkimusryhmissä kesäharjoittelijat työskentelevät mm. robotiikan, automaation, järjestelmäintegroinnin, ohjelmoinnin ja numeeristen algoritmien parissa. 

Hakuohjeet

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta.
Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta).

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 9.02.2026 klo 23:59.

Osaamisalue: Tutkimus, kehitys & tuotekehitys