Research Engineer or Research Technician, Industrial Synthesis and Catalysis team

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work on with the transition of chemical industry from fossil-based to bio-based and circular feedstocks?Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of natural sciences with superb colleagues who are top expert in their field? VTT might be just the place for you.

VTT is one of the leading applied research organisations in Europe. What unites us are curiosity, a passion for learning and a purpose: to solve the biggest challenges of our time and turn them into sustainable growth and well-being. Our cross-disciplinary community of over 2000 brilliant minds is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation.  Get to know us further by exploring VTT’s research infra at VTT World . 

We are now looking for a Research Engineer or Research Technician to join our Industrial Synthesis and Catalysis team.

In this role, you will have an essential contribution to our research activities in the areas of biomass and carbon dioxide utilization, circular plastics, and renewable chemicals.

We are offering very versatile work in the frontier of sustainable chemistry and a possibility to develop your skills in catalysis, reaction engineering and analytics.

Our team, Industrial Synthesis and Catalysis works on developing novel catalytic paths from residues, waste, CO2 and other secondary feedstocks towards chemicals, polymers and energy carriers. Our work supports VTT’s mission to decarbonise industries via incorporation of circular and biobased raw materials. We are working in both laboratory and pilot environments of VTT’s Industrial Chemistry research area.

Read more about our research: Plant-based and recyclable plastic bottles now enabled with VTT’s new FDCA technology using citrus peel as raw material

Video about VTT's Sustainable Chemistry platform

Video about VTT iBEX 2021: Utilization of CO2

With us you will be responsible for:

Your primary responsibility will be carrying out experimental work in our research projects in the field of catalytic processes. The work includes synthesis and characterization of catalysts, modification and construction of laboratory scale test rigs, operation and maintenance of the test units and analytical instruments. Occasional participation in pilot campaigns or activities at customer’s premises is also possible. You will act as a role model in laboratory safety and quality.

Who we are looking for:

The position can be partially tailored to fit your skills & interests, but we prefer candidates who fulfil most of the below criteria

• Previous experience with laboratory work or industrial process operation
• Experience with chemical processes and catalysis is an advantage
• Laboratory technician degree or B.Sc. or similar degree in Engineering
• Familiarity with chemical analytical techniques, GC in particular
• Good English and Finnish skills

As a person, we hope that you are:

• We are looking for an individual with a strong drive, take-charge attitude and ability to deliver. Working in a dynamic project environment requires open mind, high flexibility and ability to learn new things quickly. Our team strongly welcomes supportive and collaborative mindset.
  

With VTT, you’ll enjoy: / What we offer you:

• Visionary work in technology. We offer positions at the cutting-edge of technology and engineering from next generation microelectronics and quantum technology to automation and robotics, energy systems and more. Our research agenda is dedicated to creating sustainable growth by solving systemic and technological challenges, so your work will go towards creating real, positive impact. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope .
• Fascinating projects, excellent research environment. Our researchers get to work on a combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects, both locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal, such as Micronova, the Finnish research infrastructure for micro-, nano- and quantum technologies.  
• Great career opportunities, superb colleagues. At VTT, excellence in research is a strategic priority. We offer long-term positions and stable career paths in top-level research. People tend to stay with us over 10 years since there are always new roles and responsibilities to grow into. Collaborating in a cross-disciplinary community with superb colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun. Read more about our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.
• Support for your well-being. Our people are our main asset, so we take good care of them. We aim to nurture great team spirit and leadership and offer versatile well-being services to enable a good work–life balance. On top of 6 weeks of paid holidays, we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and voluntary well-being services such as meditation programmes and trainings on cognitive ergonomics.

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Please send your CV and application in English or Finnish, together with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 24.10.2022. We will process applications as they come in, and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate.  

Interested and want to hear more?

Alexander Reznichenko, Research Team Leader tel. +358 50 346 4653  e-mail: [email protected] Call times October 7th, 8.00-9.00 and October 17th 13.00-14.00 (English)

Johanna Kihlman, Senior Scientist, tel. +358 40 357 5136  e-mail: [email protected]   Call time October 7th, 9.00-10.00 (Finnish or English)

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo

Apply between 3 October 2022 and 24 October 2022 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.