FinEst Centre for Smart Cities is hiring one or two research fellows for approximately two years (until Nov 2027). We are looking for researchers who want to advance urban research & innovation and contribute to competitive grant proposals. The role is ideal for someone who wants to grow their academic career, who has or is about to have (latest early 2026) a PhD degree, and has a strong interest in one or more of our Research and Innovation (R&I) themes.
FinEst Centre for Smart Cities is a unique international research and innovation centre focusing mostly on five R&I themes: Natural & Built Environment, Smart Mobility, Intelligent Energy Solutions, Data & AI, and Smart & Sustainable Governance. Each theme connects cutting-edge research with practical solutions, combining academic excellence with real-world impact to create smart, sustainable, and resilient cities.
For these tangible aims, we also participate in smart city pilot projects with around 100 European cities. Since 2020, the FinEst Centre has published around 100 academic publications annually, and around 30 PhD students have graduated from us.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM YOU?
In addition to research merit, you are expected to have a proven track record in competitive grant proposal writing (e.g., Horizon Europe, local research grants etc.) in one or more of our R&I themes.
The specific field of research is not strictly fixed; your work should align with at least one of these themes, and you are welcome to shape your research agenda within that scope.
We currently run 10+ EU projects by 40 people at the FinEst Centre, so you will have eager collegial support daily, including the proposal development and communication team, and TalTech’s support functions.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY: JOIN THE SMART CITY CHALLENGE
If you are interested, you may also participate in the ongoing 5th round of the Smart City Challenge, where researchers co-create scalable and novel solutions with cities addressing real urban challenges. We will launch two fully funded pilot projects with a total budget of €1.68M, and if you wish to be part of a research team aiming to pilot and scale a solution after the pilot period, there is a possibility of finding a suitable team and ways to collaborate.
Please upload your CV, including a Google Scholar link, a copy of PhD diploma (or relevant information on having the degree latest early 2026) and motivation letter that includes evidence of competitive research and innovation proposal development latest on 10.12.2025, by using the application link "Apply Now" on the right.
The evaluation will be merit-based, combining previous experience in competive proposal development with academic progress. Online interviews are planned for the week of Dec 15-19, with final decisons ideally before Christmas, latest early next year.
We offer:
Contact persons: Director Ralf-Martin Soe ralf-martin.soe@taltech.ee and Research Coordinator Kalle Toiskallio kalle.toiskallio@taltech.ee.
