Are you passionate about transforming ideas into impactful products or innovations? We’re looking for a dynamic professional with hands-on experience across the entire innovation process. If this sounds like you, 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 2300 brilliant minds focuses on creating positive impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.   

We are now looking for an innovative Head of IPR and Business Development for our Digital Technologies business area!  

VTT´s Digital technologies business area is covering microelectronics, quantum, flexible electronics, sensing solutions, connectivity, space and cyber security research.  

In this role you are responsible for the business development in the business area as well as leading the innovation-driven IPR team. You’ll contribute to high-impact projects and collaborate with inventors, start-ups, and growth companies. You’ll bring expertise in strategic IP management, start-up formation, and spin-out ventures, and play a key role in structuring start-up agreements, including those with contribution in-kind elements. In this role it is crucial to possess a strong understanding of current market dynamics and emerging trends, demonstrating a keen interest in future developments to effectively anticipate and adapt to changes in the marketplace. You´ll also conduct commercialisation strategies for different patent families and thematic patent portfolios. A research-oriented mindset is both wanted and essential for contributing meaningful strategic decisions. 

You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate closely with a diverse group of stakeholders across VTT, including Researchers, Vice Presidents, and Sales Leads, fostering cross-functional alignment and shared success. To succeed in this role, you have a vision for the area’s commercialization of research, and you are eagerly leading a team of professionals working at the business area level on innovation ecosystem development and EU networks.  

To deliver strong results in this role, you need a deep knowledge of intellectual property rights (IPR). The ideal candidate has conducted hundreds of IPR-related assignments, including: 

• IPR strategy and valuation 
• IPR portfolio management 
• Patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses 
• IPR due diligence 

You will also support VTT’s overall IP management by coordinating related activities and serving as the main point of contact. 

Who we are looking for: 

• Experience in leading strategic business development, including in-depth analysis of the business environment and the creation of innovative collaboration models with customers and partners 
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and play a key role in commercializing cutting-edge research results through R&D agreements, licensing deals, and the facilitation of spin-off ventures 
• Own the commercialization strategy, including the development of compelling offerings and oversight of technology and IPR strategy processes 
• Maximize the value of research outputs by following up on research transfer dossiers and proof-of-concept projects, ensuring optimal impact and scalability 
• Provide inspiring people leadership, fostering team well-being, and attracting, retaining, and developing top talent to support continuous competence growth. 
• Actively contribute to the business area leadership team, bringing strategic insight and operational excellence to cross-functional decision-making 

To thrive in this role, you should bring: 

• Extensive hands-on experience in analyzing business environments and driving commercialization of research 
• A deep understanding of IPR strategy processes and a strong motivation to shape future market opportunities through research-driven innovation
• Experience in commercializing technologies by building coherent IP portfolios is seen as crucial experience as well as IPR strategy and valuation experience. You should have a deep understanding of business development and commercialization of research 
• We expect you to have a university degree in a relevant field

As a person, we hope that you are: 

A leader who builds strong, trust-based relationships and collaborates effectively across diverse stakeholder groups. You bring clarity to complex environments, always keeping sight of the broader strategic picture. With a long-term mindset and unwavering persistence, you drive progress and navigate challenges with resilience. Your leadership style is rooted in positivity and purpose - you inspire and energize your team by coaching them toward ambitious goals and fostering a culture of enthusiasm and growth. 

With VTT, you’ll enjoy: 

• Work with a strong purpose. At VTT, you’ll get to use your professional expertise to help solve the greatest challenges of our time through science and innovation. Our research agenda is dedicated to creating solutions for systemic and technological challenges, such as reaching carbon neutrality and creating superior digital systems. At VTT, you’ll get to do your part in driving this meaningful change through your professional skills. Read more about our strategy, the path of exponential hope, and our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work. 

• An inspiring community. VTT houses all the cutting-edge fields of innovation, from quantum technology to synthetic biology, under one roof. As a professional at VTT, you’ll witness and influence the future of science and technology as it happens.  

• Career and learning opportunities. As a scientific expert organisation, we emphasise learning and development and support our people in reaching their full potential. People stay at VTT for more than ten years, as we offer opportunities to develop and grow into new responsibilities. If you’re curious, ambitious, and willing to learn, VTT is the place to take your career to the next level. 

• Support for your well-being. Our people are our main asset, so we take good care of them. We aim to nurture excellent 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 annually (after one year of work), we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and other versatile services aiming to support you occupational wellbeing.

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 by 14 of September 2025 at the latest. We will process applications and conduct interviews during the application period, and the position will be filled as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure will be conducted during the recruitment process.  

Interested and want to know more? 

For further information, please contact Executive Vice President Erja Turunen, +358 503809671 on Thursday 28th of August between 13-13.30, or on Monday 1st of October between 16.30-17.00, or on Thursday 4th of October between 16.30-17.00 Finnish time (UTC+3). 

We look forward to hearing from you!