University of Vaasa and Wärtsilä launch CoDoc collaboration to bridge research with product development

Wärtsilä’s industrial PhD programme catalyses innovation and accelerates industrialisation of future technologies, supported by cutting-edge research. The 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 the University of Vaasa, Aalto University and LUT University as the first partners, the programme is designed to connect the best of Wärtsilä, partner universities and doctorate students.

– The University of Vaasa is at the forefront of collaborative doctoral education in Finland. This collaboration with Wärtsilä is an excellent example of our CoDoc model, focused on collaborative doctoral education and launched in 2024. 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 companies, 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, aligning with the university’s strategy and the Energy Transition Valley initiative, says Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

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.

– As 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. 

The program will admit six students in 2025. The first application round of the University of Vaasa attracted over 50 high-quality candidates. The next opportunity to apply to the University of Vaasa will open in November.