Lead, Material Acceleration Platform
Are you interested in working with a Material Acceleration? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in 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 2400 brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities focuses 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 tech & infra.
We are now looking for a Lead to join us in taking our Material Acceleration Platform to the next level
As a Lead, you are responsible for the creation of new collaboration together with national and international partners in the field of material science, balancing experimental, computational and data driven approaches. You are a thought leader with a focus on internal and external networks and new business opportunities. As a member of Knowledge Driven Design research area leadership team you collaborate and contribute to the success of whole VTT and our customers and partners. The location of the position is in Espoo or Tampere.
VTT Materials Innovation Hub combines computational science, artificial intelligence, automation and experimental research to accelerate material innovation. VTT ProperTune® combined with tailored experimental capabilities and powered by data and AI methodology, form together Materials Acceleration Platform (MAP) concept utilized at VTT. Combining high-quality data with advanced data analytics and the use of AI is the booster for research productivity and new research services for VTT’s customers. In addition to applying AI methods for materials research, we work on High Performance Computing utilizing the fastest supercomputer in Europe, the LUMI, and VTT’s own quantum computers.
With this approach, entirely new designer materials can be developed in a fraction of time compared to traditional methods. The material application areas range from metals to battery materials, and from biopolymers to semiconductor materials. Our objective is to accelerate new material development with experimental, data driven and computationally fast solutions and that way to support the development of new materials needed in green transition and enable development of new material applications. In this position you have the opportunity to think big and impact the future of European research agenda, ensuring an efficient supply of critical materials and adapting to the evident digital transformation.
This position is located either in Espoo or Tampere.
Find out more here: VTT Materials Innovation Hub – accelerating sustainable growth with new materials | VTT
Watch a video: VTT Propertune helps design durable materials
As Lead, you will:
Be the visionary leader of our MAP concept, developing holistic and visionary agenda together with our researchers, aligning and getting people excited to work together towards a greener future of materials
Network and open new opportunities for international sales emphasizing a balanced perspective on our versatile knowhow in experimental, computational and data driven approach combined with our unique research infrastructure
Seek new opportunities together with the existing research and business networks
Acting as a MAP thought leader actively communicating and promoting the topic
Generating business impact for selected IP portfolios
As member of the research area leadership team, you find ways to combine competences and build collaboration to ensure wider impact
The position success is measured in the increase of number of new impactful projects that utilize our holistic MAP offer
Who we are looking for:
Experience working with a MAP, preferably in a role where you have had the responsibility to develop this kind of platform based on market needs and global trends.
Strong and wide work experience of at least 5-10 years in relevant industries.
MSc degree in a relevant field.
Professional English language skills (spoken and written).
Interest and eligibility to participate in defence sector research and collaborate with NATO and Finnish Defence Forces.
As a person, we hope that you are:
Customer and network focused with business development mindset and excited to ensure we stay ahead of the curve
Proactive and collaborative team player with the ability to form and inspire teams and bring together people from different backgrounds. You can collaborate successfully within external and internal networks.
Able to see the big picture and facilitate outside-in-thinking to formulate business opportunities from different building blocks, and to build the bridge from planning to implementation.
Excited to develop something new and be the leader of change
With VTT, you’ll enjoy:
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 a 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 locally and internationally. At VTT, you'll have state-of-the-art research facilities, 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 for over ten 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 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 your 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 at the latest by 7 January 2026. We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure may be conducted during the recruitment process.
Interested and want to know more?
For further information, please contact Research Area Vice President Tarja Laitinen, tarja.laitinen@vtt.fi.
We look forward to hearing from you!
VTT
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.
