Senior Scientist, Smart Grids

Are you interested in smart grids and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of academy and industry? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in the state-of-the-art research facilities? 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. In recent years, we have created ground-breaking innovations such as the world's fastest and most accurate radiation detector, a cancer-sniffing sensor device for smartphones, and a headphone set entirely made of microbial materials. Get to know us further by exploring VTT’s research infra at VTT World . 

We are now looking for Senior Scientist to join our Smart Grids team!

As a Senior Scientist, your key goals are to develop, analyse and conduct expert laboratory work. You will acquire and lead research projects and you will be involved in the development of experimental research. You will act as a strong link towards other teams at VTT.

The Smart Grids team is developing solutions for the future low-carbon energy system in which the electrical grid has a focal role. Our Smart Grids team understands how the electrical grid operates as a part of the whole energy system and how it changes in future due to several simultaneous global development drivers, including changes in the energy mix, increasing electrification of transport and industry, emergence of new digital technologies and stricter requirements for electricity supply reliability.

• Develop, analyse and conduct expert research (including laboratory work) in the field of integrating new energy resources to the future of Power Systems.
• Acquire and lead research projects related to the field of Smart Grids, focusing especially on microgrids, energy communities and the integration of flexible resources at low, medium and high voltage networks.
• Be involved in the development of experimental research in the IntelligentEnergy laboratory facility infrastructure, implementing testing set-ups and performing hardware and software configurations.
• Act as a strong link towards other teams at VTT, especially in topics related to the smart built environment.

• You have excellent substance knowledge in power systems, especially in the fields of microgrids and energy communities. You also have experience with one or more of the following research topics: medium voltage systems, transmission systems, power electronics, power system reliability and resilience, power quality data analytics, sector integration and energy markets.
• You have a PhD degree in Power System related topics; and a track record of publications in the field of Electrical Engineering and Power Systems.
• You have experience in coding and software development, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Preferred programming languages include but not limited to Python, MATLAB, Julia and/or Java. You are also experienced in power system modelling tools such as Simulink, PSCAD and/or PowerFactory.
• You speak English fluently; fluency in other languages, especially Finnish, is considered an asset.

It is also very beneficial if you have some of the following:

• Experience with project management, willing to have technical leadership role in mentoring and guiding young researchers.
• Experience in a laboratory environment, developing testing setups and performing experiments with hardware-in-the-loop; experience in laboratory facility development and planning.
• Experience in power systems operations industry.
• Specific focus on microgrids operations or energy markets.

• Good team worker and willing to take leadership of projects, guiding other researchers in their technical development in the field of Smart Grids
• Fast learner and curious person, excited about learning and working with different projects related to the integration of energy resources in the future power systems
• Safety-minded person and comfortable working in a medium-voltage electrical laboratory environment, setting up hardware and performing research experiments
• Excited about producing high level research that leads to relevant publications; willing to perform strong networking with international academic partners
• Comfortable in working in a multicultural environment with other researchers and engineers.

• 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 .
• 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.
• 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 Smart Grids team!

Please send your CV and application with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 22 May 2022. We will process applications as they come in, and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate.

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Sergio Motta, e-mail: [email protected] , tel. +358401730518 on Tuesdays between 3pm and 5 pm Finnish time.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 26 April 2022 and 22 May 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 over 75 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT´s turnover and other operating income is 258 M€. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.