Open call for thesis projects and internships at the University of Helsinki – Spring 2026

University of Helsinki research groups offer various thesis and internship opportunities for students at all university degree levels (BSc, MSc, PhD). The research at the university includes but is not limited to: * quantum algorithms and software * quantum simulation and NISQ * quantum information and foundations * quantum education research * quantum philosophy Thesis and internship opportunities are available across these areas. See the full list of research groups at the University of Helsinki below. Please do not hesitate to contact the contact persons of the groups if you are interested in available opportunities. You may also inquire about possible internships or summer student projects in the groups. If you cannot find the contact information of the contact person on the group page, please use People Finder. If you wish help in finding a quantum-related thesis topic, please get in touch with the EduQ contacts at the University of Helsinki. Biological Physics Biophysics computational biophysics, functions from biomolecular to cell/tissue scales Group leader: Ilpo Vattulainen * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Computational Materials Physics Physics computational materials physics, single atom qubits for room temperature quantum technologies Group leader: Flyura Djurabekova * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Defects in Semiconductors Physics ultrawide band gap semiconductors as a platform Group leader: Filip Tuomisto * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Empirical software engineering Computer science quantum software engineering Leader: Jukka K. Nurminen * University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science Empirical Software Engineering II Computer science quantum software Leader: Tomi Männistö * University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science Experimental Particle Physics Nanoscience and technology, Physics quantum sensing, particle physics, low noise electronics, RF techniques, semiconductors Leader: Matti Kalliokoski * Helsinki Institute of Physics, University of Helsinki Helteq Physics information theory, algorithms and software Group leader: Sabrina Maniscalco * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Inverse Problems Mathematics numerical simulations, imaging in quantum applications, tomography problems, the relation of optical and quantum computing Group leader: Matti Lassas * University of Helsinki, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Laser Spectroscopy Chemistry high-precision experimental methods for molecular spectroscopy and microscopy, optical frequency metrology Group leader: Markku Vainio * University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry Materials Structure and Electron Dynamics Physics Electronic excitations, electronic structure of defects in semiconductors and other materials, strongly correlated materials, electron dynamics, x-ray spectroscopies, x-ray scattering, x-ray imaging, synchrotron light sources and free-electron lasers, photon detection, radiation-matter interactions, optical phenomena in matter (also nonlinear), short and long range order in matter Group leader: Simo Huotari * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Mathematical Physics Mathematics, Physics theory of open quantum systems, quantum field theory Group leader: Jani Lukkarinen * University of Helsinki, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Numerical Quantum Chemistry Chemistry quantum methods, quantum chemistry on quantum computers Group Leader: Susi Lehtola * University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry Optimisation Mathematics nonsmooth optimisation, general theory, methods, applications to machine learning and inverse problems Group leader: Tuomo Valkonen * University of Helsinki, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Physics Education Research Physics didactic physics, conceptual understanding, mathematics in physics, networks Group leader: Ismo Koponen * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Quantum and Statistical Physics (QaSP) Physics Field of operations: Mathematical and Theoretical Physics Specific topics of interest: Quantum and Classical Open Systems Group leader: Paolo Muratore-Ginanneschi * Mathematics Department University of Helsinki Quantum Behavior Neuroscience, Physics interface of quantum physics, and neuroscience Group leader: Petri Ala-Laurila * University of Helsinki, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences AND Aalto University, Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering Quantum Fields, Gravity and Information Physics quantum information in quantum fields and many-body systems Group leader: Esko Keski-Vakkuri * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Quantum Philosophy Philosophy interpretations of quantum theory, varieties of quantum information, quantum biology, quantum cognition, quantum theory and reality, epistemological issues of quantum mechanics, quantum approaches to consciousness Group leader: Paavo Pylkkänen * University of Helsinki, Department of Philosophy, History and Art Studies Space Technology Physics technology and instruments for space science missions Leader: Juhani Huovelin * University of Helsinki, Department of Physics Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Chemistry quantum chemical methodology, electronic structure theory and quantum computing Group Leader: Dage Sundholm * University of Helsinki, Department of Chemistry Unified Database Management Systems Computer science database and data management, category theory in quantum computing and databases Group leader: Jiaheng Lu * University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science