Senior Scientist, Protein Production

Are you interested in working with topics that have a high impact on society, such as biofuels, sustainable food proteins, biomaterials, and pharmaceuticals? Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of biotechnology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build a science career and work in a versatile role at the interface of applied research and industry? 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 Senior Scientist to join our Protein production team.

As a Senior Scientist, Protein Production, you will have an essential role in carrying out research and increasing the understanding of biochemical processes of our fungal protein production platforms. You will investigate different cellular factors that contribute to protein expression and secretion, and map bioprocessing parameters to enhance production. In this position, you will be actively involved in planning, carrying out, and overseeing research projects.

Our team is working on various research and industrial biotechnology-based future technologies for the production of sustainable food and material proteins, enzyme mixtures for biofuel production, and therapeutic proteins. These activities support VTT’s mission to build a novel food system and enable bioinspired production for sustainable materials and other products.

Read more about our research:

Biotechnology could provide an environmentally more sustainable alternative to egg white protein production https://www.vttresearch.com/en/news-and-ideas/biotechnology-could-provide-environmentally-more-sustainable-alternative-egg-white

https://www.vttresearch.com/media/news/vtt-and-dyadic-international-presenting-excellent-results-reached-in-development-of-a-new-fungal-production-platform-c1-for

Your responsibilities as a Senior Scientist:

• Scientific project work in the fields of protein production systems and fungal biology
• Taking forward research topics and developing an area of excellence
• Planning and executing experimental work
• Writing scientific reports and articles, and presenting research data
• Working as part of project team and contributing positively to a productive work environment
• Working with customers to develop production platforms

Who we are looking for:

• Excellent experimental/laboratory skills and several years of work experience in molecular biology techniques, such as DNA cloning, genome engineering, protein analysis, and protein purification
• Preferably you have completed a PhD or you have a MSc degree with solid experience, in a relevant field
• Experience in working with filamentous fungi, yeast, or other protein production platforms
• Experience with computational or structural biology, genomics, and data analysis is considered an advantage
• Strong proven academic track-record (i.e. acquisition of research funding, publication, supervision)
• Strong spoken and written English skills

As a person, we hope that you:

• Are motivated and willing to take initiative in creating new project ideas and getting projects accomplished
• Have strong communication, collaboration, and networking skills
• Are able to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Enjoy scientific and technological challenges and have a strong passion for work
• Are willing to attend scientific meetings
• Are an outside-the-box thinker with ability to continuously learn new things

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

• Natural sciences with an impact. VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we’ve invested into building state-of-the-art research facilities for natural sciences, such as the Bioruukki pilot infrastructure for bio- and circular economy. Our research agenda is dedicated to solving systemic and technological challenges, such as reaching carbon neutrality and unleashing the power of synthetic biology. That means that at VTT, your expertise in natural sciences will go towards creating real impact. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope .
• Superb colleagues and community. With VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2000 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. Collaborating with superb colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun.
• Excellent career in research. 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. A combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects keeps your career path interesting.
• 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.
• Nordic work–life balance. Working in Finland, the happiest country in the world, enables a great quality of life. At VTT, we make our people’s well-being a strategic priority. Our benefits include extended occupational healthcare, and a range well-being services, read more here (https://www.vttresearch.com/en/research-jobs-in-finland ).
  

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Please send your CV and application with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by November 27, 2022. We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate.

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Marco Casteleijn, marco.casteleijn@vtt.fi

You can inquire also by phone between 12:00 – 12: 30 on Monday – Wednesday during the application period by calling +358 40 120 7303

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 8 November 2022 and 27 November 2022 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Fulltime, 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 over 75 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.