Finland invests in AI – Tampere University joins ELLIS Institute Finland’s global recruitment campaign
At Tampere University, the recruitment process is coordinated by Professors Juho Kanniainen and Alexandros Iosifidis.
“Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence, but at its core lies machine learning: the algorithms and models that power this intelligence. Universities have a key role in developing these methods,” notes Kanniainen.
Finland accelerates AI investment
Finland has a long-standing tradition of fundamental research in machine learning, and researchers based in Finland have been making significant contributions to this field for decades. Now, the national investments in machine learning are being taken to the next level through strategic recruitment, with the ongoing call designed to attract prominent researchers from around the world.
The successful candidates will be selected through an independent international evaluation process. Only those who meet the ELLIS Institute Finland’s exceptionally rigorous scientific criteria will progress to the next stage.
Tampere University’s strength is the close-knit, cross-disciplinary community
One of Tampere University’s key advantages is its exceptionally close-knit research community, with multiple disciplines operating within a single unit.
“Data science, mathematics, signal processing and a wide range of applied fields are all housed within the Computing Sciences Unit. This makes it easy for researchers to move seamlessly between theoretical and applied research. This gives Tampere University a significant competitive edge,” says Professor Kanniainen.
Applied research in machine learning also extends to electrical engineering, medicine and physics. This structure enables researchers to flexibly balance fundamental research with the development of practical applications, ranging from wireless networks to robotics and industrial systems.
Recruiting tenure-track staff in six research areas
In the current ELLIS Institute of Finland’s call, Tampere University is seeking assistant, associate and full professors in six key areas of machine learning:
Fundamental Machine Learning
Applied Machine Learning
Machine Learning in Wireless Networks, Positioning & Sensing
Physics of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
AI in Health
AI/ML for Microphysiological Systems
Attracting world-class talent to Tampere
ELLIS Institute Finland’s ongoing call has already generated widespread international interest. In the previous highly competitive call, close to 300 applicants applied, with only a select few advancing to the interview stage.
“Researchers of this calibre receive offers from all over the world. We hope some will choose Finland and, more specifically, Tampere University that provides a state-of-the-art environment for research in machine learning,” says Kanniainen.
Simone Parisi, who was recruited during the previous call, will join Tampere University in the spring of 2026 to conduct research in signal processing for machine learning and develop robotics applications. Parisi is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta.
A long-term investment in the future
Machine learning is among the fastest-growing scientific disciplines in the world, with applications spanning finance, healthcare, energy and security. Professor Kanniainen emphasises that investment in machine learning is an investment in the future:
“If Finland maintains its position as one of the global leaders in machine learning research, the benefits will ripple across our society. When our researchers develop new methods, they can eventually be applied worldwide. This enhances Finland’s global appeal, enabling us to attract top talent, drive the creation of new businesses, and secure further investments.”
Find out more
More information about the open positions at Tampere University, including the detailed qualification requirements and assessment criteria, is available on the ELLIS Institute Finland’s website.
The ELLIS Institute Finland is part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) network, which brings together world-leading research in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The ELLIS Institute Finland’s mission is to strengthen Finland’s position in AI research and to attract leading AI scientists from across the globe. The Institute focuses on advancing fundamental research and fostering the development of practical applications in collaboration with universities, research organisations and industry.
