Summer Trainees at Bachelor or Master Level, Energy Conversion and Systems research group

The Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at the Aalto University School of Engineering invites applications for

Summer Trainees at Bachelor or Master Level

Aalto University Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering is a community of around 300 staff members - including 30 tenure track professors - assembled to research, teach, create, and develop solutions for society's needs. Key research areas include marine and arctic technology; energy technologies and systems; mechanical systems and mechatronics; and materials, manufacturing, and product development. We have strong links to industry, creating lasting impact in both business and society.

We are now looking for three summer trainees to support the studies in following topics at Energy Conversion and System Group, Aalto University. Summer trainee positions are open exclusively for Aalto students who are interested in working on different proposed topics in this group.

Topic 1 Experimental Thermal Energy Storage Development

In this position, you would be working with a phase change material thermal energy storage system for temperature control of vehicle batteries. Tasks include operating the system and gathering, processing and analyzing the gathered data. For further details about the system and some previous work: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120816

Additional information: Lauri Pallonen ([email protected])

Your role

• Assist in experimental research on thermal energy storage systems
• Participate in measurement and control of thermal energy storage system
• Collect, process, and analyze experimental data
• Document experimental procedures and results

Your goal

• Gain hands-on experience in energy storage experiments and contribute to sustainable energy system development.

Topic 2 Experimental Study on Laminar Flame Speed of Hydrogen and Methane with Argon Dilution

This position will assist in experimental combustion research using a McKenna burner and an optical combustion chamber. The work focuses on hydrogen- and methane-based flames, including argon dilution, studied with high-speed optical imaging. Main tasks include supporting the setup and safe operation of experimental systems, conducting combustion experiments under controlled conditions, and acquiring high-speed flame images. The trainee will assist with basic image processing and data analysis, such as flame contour extraction and flame speed estimation, and document experimental procedures and results. The position offers hands-on experience in combustion experiments, optical diagnostics, and research teamwork in an international environment.

Additional information: Qiang Cheng [email protected]

Your role

• Support hydrogen and methane combustion experiments using a McKenna burner and optical chamber
• Assist in safe operation of experimental combustion systems
• Acquire high-speed flame images
• Perform basic image processing and flame speed estimation
• Document experimental procedures and results

Your goal

• Develop practical skills in combustion experiments and optical diagnostics while contributing to clean hydrogen combustion research.

Topic 3 Optimizing of energy storage control methods with AI.

The task involves building an electricity-market based control method for a battery storage and investigating possibilities to optimize the control method with AI. The task requires good programming skills and experience of using or training AI-agents is considered a benefit.

Your role

• Develop a control model for battery storage operation in electricity markets
• Implement and test optimization algorithms
• Investigate AI-based methods for control improvement
• Run simulations and evaluate performance
• Analyze and document results

Your goal

• Gain experience in energy system modeling and AI-based optimization for intelligent energy storage control.

Additional information Eero Hirvijoki [email protected]

Your network and team

• You will work in a research group within the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University.
• You will report to the responsible supervisor of your selected topic (Prof. Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, Dr. Qiang Cheng, or Dr. Eero Hirvijoki).
• You will collaborate closely with doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and other research staff.
• Depending on the project, you may also interact with laboratory engineers and industry partners.
• We value a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive research culture, emphasizing open communication, safe working practices, structured supervision, and independent initiative.

Your experience and ambitions

We are looking for a motivated Bachelor's or Master's level student at Aalto University in Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

We hope you have:

• Basic knowledge relevant to your topic (e.g., thermodynamics, combustion, electrochemistry, control systems, or energy markets)
• Interest in sustainable energy technologies and future energy systems
• Motivation to learn through hands-on research work
• Careful and responsible working style
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Basic programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or similar); AI or image processing experience is considered an advantage
• Willingness to work in a laboratory or simulation-based research environment, depending on the topic

Language requirements

• EN: Working proficiency in English is required
• FI: Finnish language is not required (Finnish proficiency is considered an advantage)

This position offers a valuable opportunity to gain practical research experience, develop technical and analytical skills, and work in an international research environment contributing to sustainable energy solutions.

What we offer

• Meaningful and inspiring environment. We are proud of our purpose to shape a sustainable future. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. It's the people that create Aalto, now and in the future. We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing.
• Responsible and meaningful role with true impact in our University's/ School's success, and in the end, in the wellbeing and development of our society.
• Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it.
• Great possibilities for competence development and learning. We constantly keep learning to find the most impactful ways to empower - and invest in - our people.

Our vast array of professional development opportunities means you will grow and learn. The salary range for this position is 2 180,00 € (bachelor student) and 2 310,00 € (master student). We value work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life. We work in a hybrid model, with the primary workplace located at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo.

Join us!

To apply, please submit your application through our recruitment site latest on 16 March 2026 23:59 Finnish time.

Please include the following documents in English and in pdf:

• CV
• Credit records
• Short motivation letter

For more information about the role, please contact Lauri Pallonen, Prof. Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, Dr. Qiang Cheng, or Dr. Eero Hirvijoki according to your topic emails [email protected] . For questions related to the application process, please contact [email protected] .

We will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. You will hear from us the latest in the last week of April. We aim to have a transparent and equal recruitment process, so feel free to ask us for feedback.