Recruitment FAQ

The university awarding the doctoral degree is indicated in the description of each doctoral candidate (DC) position, and is in some cases different from the institution employing the doctoral candidate. The process for applying for the doctoral study right is as follows:

Yes, it is possible to apply if you expect to obtain your MSc degree in the near future. In that case, please indicate your expected graduation date in your application.

You can apply for up to three positions simultaneously. In the application form, specify which positions you are interested in, and indicate your order of preference within those positions (1 = highest preference). Since the recruitment process is coordinated between the hiring institutions, multiple simultaneous job offers are not expected.

Screening and filling of the positions will start as soon as applications are received. Therefore, it is recommended to apply as early as possible. The main supervisor of your top-choice position will review your application material and, if there is an interest, contact you to schedule an interview. If (s)he decides not to pursue your candidacy further, your application will be reviewed by the main supervisor of your second-choice position, etc. Hiring decisions will be discussed in a meeting between all PIs, and you will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.

The BRIDGE-AI project will cover the first three years of employment with competitive remuneration; depending on the host organization, subsequent funding needed to finalize your PhD thesis may be available. As a rule, you will receive a full-time contract with full social security coverage (including sickness, parental, unemployment and invalidity benefits, pension rights, benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases).

During the 36 months of employment in the BRIDGE-AI project, your exact salary will depend on the country of employment. Your salary will consist of a monthly living allowance that is country-specific to ensure equal purchasing power (see below); a mobility allowance of 710 EUR/month; and possibly a family allowance of 660 EUR/month (only if applicable). However, your final monthly gross salary will result from deducting (from the mentioned amounts) all compulsory deductions under national law, such as social security contributions etc. The precise amounts of these deductions vary between countries but are typically substantial; for instance at Aalto (Finland) they amount to around 30%. For a more detailed account of the expected gross and net salary for a particular position, please contact the main supervisor directly (contacts are provided with each position).

The country-specific living allowance for BRIDGE-AI is set as follows:

  • Belgium: 4010 EUR/month
  • Germany: 4058 EUR/month
  • Austria: 4398 EUR/month
  • the Netherlands: 4475 EUR/month
  • Finland: 4731 EUR/month
  • Switzerland: 6568 EUR/month
  • Cover letter (summary of merits and key achievements, motivation for applying): Provide a short letter (recommended length: 1 page) including your research interests, career goals, previous experience, and qualifications relevant to the position(s) you’re applying to.
  • Curriculum vitae: Please do not include sensitive information in your CV.
  • Relevant transcripts of studies and certificates of your degrees: Combine the documents into a single pdf.
  • Names and contact information of at least two professional references who may be contacted regarding your application: Fill this out in the application form.

For more information about the application and selection procedure, please contact the coordinator of the BRIDGE-AI network at recruitmentbridgeai.nbe@aalto.fi. For questions about individual positions, please contact the main supervisor of the relevant position(s) directly (contacts are provided with each position).