PhD Pilot

Digital Waters doctoral education pilot responds to the growing need for doctoral-level experts in the Digital Waters Flagship area.

The doctoral education pilot focuses on the Flagship research area of complex interactions and responses in the hydro-, atmo-, and cryosphere.

What is DIWA doctoral education pilot?

Digital Waters doctoral education pilot offers a structured doctoral education path for doctoral researchers. The pilot is a 3-year-program. The program equips doctoral researchers with the necessary skills to become a game-changers in water research and innovation.

Our goal is to equip experts with the necessary methodological, data/digital, and management skills to emerge as leaders and game-changers in water research, governance, and innovation.


We are collaborating with public and private sector stakeholders to co-create services and products, and we foster communication among researchers, policymakers, specialists, and industry professionals.

Education structure

PhD infograph about education structure
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Benefits of a DIWA PhD

Key steps to success

New career opportunities

Our collaboration with both public and private actors in the water sector provides our members with both training and career opportunities in an important industry. The PhD pilot program gives doctoral researchers valuable new insights and helps to advance their careers.

Structured path to PhD

Doctoral researchers get to join a large network of fellow doctoral students, supervisors, and professionals. Our professional supervisors help and support the doctoral researchers throughout their whole PhD pilot experience. 

Skills and work experience in water related fields

We equip Doctoral researchers with the necessary contacts, skills and provide opportunities to build their future career.

Cutting-edge research

Our Doctoral researchers have joined a top-tier research and innovation ecosystem, so they have access to our unique research infrastructure and will take part in high-impact research toward the next industrial revolution in the water sector.

Finland’s nature, cities & culture

Doctoral researchers who have travelled to Finland to join the PhD pilot program get to experience the unique and beautiful cities and nature of Finland during their PhD journey. 

In collaboration with

Ministry of Education and Culture

DIWA Flagship is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture directly and through the Research Council of Finland.