Technology group Wärtsilä introduces a unique industrial PhD program to catalyse innovation and accelerate industrialisation of future technologies, supported by cutting-edge research. This programme provides doctorate students with clearly defined research topics, secured funding for the entire PhD journey, and expert support from the partner universities and Wärtsilä.

With Aalto University, University of Vaasa and LUT University as the first partners in Finland, the program is designed to connect the best of Wärtsilä, partner universities and doctorate students. As a forerunner in marine and energy, Wärtsilä offers students impactful research topics and in return, Wärtsilä can apply the latest research in developing future technologies. In addition to a financially secured pathway to a PhD, the students have access to the partner universities’ extensive research expertise and capabilities and Wärtsilä’s industrial expertise. By connecting the students and Wärtsilä, the universities provide a solid ground for the researchers and practitioners of the future.

“At Wärtsilä we want to enable sustainable societies through innovation in technology and service. Our strategy is centred around shaping the decarbonisation of marine and energy. As there are no simple solutions to this challenge, our continuous focus on research and development is crucial in ensuring we can offer our customers ways forward that are environmentally sustainable and financially viable. This new industrial PhD program will bridge research and real-life product development needs closely together,” says Håkan Agnevall, President & CEO, Wärtsilä.

“This new doctoral program further strengthens the long and multi-dimensional collaboration between Aalto University and Wärtsilä. Offering doctoral students an excellent opportunity to combine academic research with industry needs, the program will enable them to develop solutions for the challenges of sustainable maritime and energy systems. This is a great example of how universities and industry can accelerate innovation together and support the growth of young researchers into international experts,” says Aalto University President Ilkka Niemelä.

“The University of Vaasa is at the forefront of collaborative doctoral education in Finland. This new program with Wärtsilä is an excellent example of our CoDoc model, focused on collaborative doctoral education and launched last year. As the first of its kind in the country, CoDoc is designed to generate rapid impact and concrete results by aligning academic research with the research needs of companies. By bringing together businesses, doctoral researchers and supervising professors, CoDoc ensures that research is not only scientifically rigorous, but also valuable for the business partner. This model strengthens innovation ecosystems and supports our mission to produce research that creates added value for the society, aligned with the university’s strategy and the Energy Transition Valley initiative,” says Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

“The industrial doctorate program established by Wärtsilä and its university partners exemplifies the core objectives of LUT University’s ‘System Earth 2030’ strategy. Central to our strategy are energy transition and impactful research, particularly when driven through industry collaboration. This new program perfectly advances these goals by uniting top-tier academic expertise with real-world industrial needs. The partnership provides the doctoral students with a unique opportunity to work on scientifically ambitious yet practical themes. Initiatives like this strengthen innovation ecosystems and guide research towards tangible solutions for clean energy and a carbon-neutral society,” says Juha-Matti Saksa, Rector at LUT University.

The program will admit six students in 2025. The first application round of the University of Vaasa attracted over 50 high-calibre candidates. The next opportunity to apply will open in November. The application period at Aalto University is currently ongoing, while LUT University will launch its application process later this year.