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Invest in the future: Doctoral thesis collaboration
Long-term collaboration in the form of a doctoral project enables not only solutions to future technological or business challenges, but also knowledge transfer and dialogue, where the company, the university and the doctoral student all learn from each other. Doctoral students graduating from collaborative projects are well equipped to apply their academic knowledge and research methods to business and product development challenges.
A doctoral student creates new knowledge through their own research and learns to distinguish between true and false information with the support of experienced researchers at Aalto University. The doctoral student is part of an international academic scientific community and grows professionally into an expert in their own field.
Doctoral students can tailor parts of their degree to support their own career goals, often including valuable innovation and communication skills relevant for positions in the private sector.
Collaboration in doctoral education is beneficial for companies and other organizations in several ways:
- You gain visibility as an employer and network with future specialists in the field
- You can find new experts to join your company
- As a partner, you can also participate in planning the project and supervision of the doctoral student, gaining insight into the research
Tuomas Nurmi, Senior HR Manager, Murata Electronics OyWe see doctoral education as an investment in the future. It provides skills for solving demanding technological challenges and for mastering complex matters. Doctoral graduates have strong university networks that help keep us at the forefront of technological development.
Ways to collaborate on a doctoral thesis
Common ways to collaborate on doctoral dissertations include contract research and, in many cases, co-funded projects. Projects funded through competitive third-party funding (e.g. Business Finland) typically include research that will become a part of a dissertation, but doctoral thesis work can often also be realized as bilateral co-funded projects.
In a doctoral project carried out as contract research, the business partner has the greatest opportunity to influence the content of the research, and IPR ownership can be agreed in advance. Publishing is important for the timely completion of the thesis, but the terms of publication and the protection of the resulting innovations can always be negotiated.
Co-funded doctoral research allows long-term research collaboration with a small investment. In addition to possibility to gain exploitable results, the doctoral thesis partner gains insight into current research in the field and will have access to the expertise of the academic network through the project.
For a doctoral student, a topic with practical relevance, close contact with the business partner and an industrial thesis advisor are diversifying and motivating factors. Work or internships in the company during the project may also be an option.
The Ministry of Education and Culture provides funding to universities for piloting new practices in doctoral education in 2024–2027. The pilot aims to increase the mobility of doctoral graduates between universities, businesses, research institutes and other organisations. The call for project partner has ended, but call for mentors for doctoral students is still open.
How to start doctoral thesis collaboration?
If you would like to get involved in a long-term partnership that will increase your future opportunities but do not know where or how to start, contact the Aalto Corporate Relations team. We will help you find the right partner among our professors to take your research topic from an idea to a doctoral project.
Contact us at Aalto Corporate Relations
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Examples of doctoral thesis collaboration
Wool electronics and orange peel clothing being created in Bioinnovation Center
Doctoral researchers at Aalto University Bioinnovation Center discuss accelerating the sustainable bioeconomy, the importance of collaboration and bold entrepreneurial dreams.
From doctoral education to professorship of practice – The collaboration between Aalto and Valmet deepens
Aalto University and Valmet collaborate to educate doctoral-level experts in multiple fields. Valmet is interested in both doctoral research and the expertise of new doctoral graduates.
Kiia Einola thinks that buildings should support the well-being of us all
Kiia Einola's study journey at Aalto University extends from bachelor's studies all the way to doctoral research. Summer job during her master's studies sparked Kiia's interest in smart building research. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation in smart building services engineering by collaborating with Helvar, a company specializing in electrical engineering.
Doctoral research seeks textile dyes from nature and bioproduction side streams
Aalto University and the Natural Resources Institute Finland are developing bio-based textile dyes.
Doctoral level expertise is needed as ABB is engineering the energy transition
Joint doctoral research projects between Aalto University and ABB are training scientists to develop the cutting-edge products needed in the future.
Doctoral research is shedding new light on recycling
A research collaboration with industry partners is improving the recycling of milk and juice cartons
Why can’t AI say ‘I don’t know’?
Overconfident AI systems can be dangerous, so researchers are teaching them humility
Kalle Spoof's doctoral research for Saab opened the door to the company's product development
In his doctoral thesis, Kalle Spoof developed beamforming of radar systems
More information about doctoral studies
How to apply for doctoral studies?
Find out what is required of applicants and what can our doctoral studies offer!
Research collaboration and innovations
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