PhD OR Postdoctorate Researcher, Materials Accelaration Platform for Novel Battery chemistries
Are you interested in developing a Materials Acceleration Platform for novel battery chemistries and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of natural sciences with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build a scientific career and work in a versatile role at the interface of academy 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 2400 brilliant minds of 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 PhD Researcher (four-year fixed-term) OR Postdoctoral Researcher (two-year fixed-term) with possible extension to join our integrated computational materials engineering team
We are now recruiting a PhD or Postdoctoral Researcher in the Knowledge Driven Design research area to boost the development of a Materials Acceleration Platform (MAP) in machine learned interatomic potentials for the predictive synthesis of battery cathode materials.
The MAP will leverage a suite of advanced tools to drive materials innovation. In addition to automation, it will integrate high-quality characterisation and data generation, integrated computational materials engineering (ICME), quantum computing, and data-driven methods such as analytics and AI to expand and accelerate the knowledge of materials.
Our team develops VTT ProperTune which is an ICME concept that uses multiscale modelling for optimal computational material design. The aim is to supplement or replace expensive, time-consuming physical testing with faster, more efficient modelling. Over the past two decades, we have collaborated with industrial partners to develop modelling tools across length and time scales and applied them to critical components in mechanical machines and devices. With our modelling excellence, we aim to shorten the time-to-market of high-performance materials by an average of 50%.
VTT has a PhD Programme targeted at VTT researchers in their doctoral career stage. The programme is more than just a path to a degree; it is a dynamic community that supports goal-oriented doctoral research aligned with VTT’s strategic choices. Participants in the PhD Programme become part of a vibrant network, collaborating with colleagues and contributing to transformative solutions. VTT also partners with Finnish universities to create seamless PhD journeys. Researchers are supervised by experienced experts in the field. The research work is carried out at VTT in collaboration with other research and technology organisations, universities, and industry. The studies related to the PhD degree are planned together with the participant’s university professor.
VTT also has a Postdoc programme to develop new ways to support scientific excellence and to strengthen career paths from universities to VTT. We want to provide development opportunities for recent university PhDs in applied research and industry collaboration. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at VTT, you are able to make an impact on our customers and society. Our researchers work closely together with industry, often in interdisciplinary research groups. VTT has excellent research infrastructure and internal services to support your research work.
The location of this position is in Espoo.
Read more about our research: Computational materials science applications - VTT ProperTune (vttresearch.com)
With us, you will:
Train and apply machine learned interatomic potentials for the predictive synthesis of battery cathode materials
Contribute to the development, compilation, and performance optimization of computational chemistry software
Calculate the electronic structure of materials using density functional theory and tight binding methods
Actively participate in the research analysis and dissemination through journal publications and international conferences
Collaborate within a diverse research team on joint writing and project activities
Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and conferences
Supervise and tutor junior team members.
Who we are looking for:
Strong understanding of both material science and density functional theory
Experience in training machine learned models
Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory, Finnish skills are a plus.
You want to complete your PhD or you have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree, in in a relevant field, such as, physics, material science or engineering.
As a person, we hope that you are:
A curious mind, who is eager to develop and take on new challenges.
We appreciate ambition and willingness to learn over having all the answers or skills ready when you start.
We move quickly and deliver for our customers on reasonable schedules, so it helps if you’re comfortable finalizing work that isn’t yet perfectly refined.
You are also a team player with strong collaboration skills who wants to drive a positive impact in the world.
Motivated to learn about project preparation and proposals
With VTT, you’ll enjoy:
Natural sciences with an impact. VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we've invested in 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 a 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 of knowledge. We work 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. Read more about our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.
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 for over ten 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 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 11 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 Team Leader Tom Andersson, +358 407765018 tom.andersson@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.
