Are you interested in clean internal combustion engines with future fuels and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their 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 state-of-the-art research facilities? VTT might be just the place for you. If you are an international talent searching for a new opportunity, read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation here! 

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 2200 brilliant minds is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Efficient engines and vehicles team for a fixed-term employment (approx. 24 months) in early 2024!

In 2023 VTT started 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.

In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will have an essential role in developing our expertise on clean engines combustion with new fuels i.e. hydrogen and its derivatives by performing state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamic combustion simulations. Our team, Efficient engines and vehicles, works for developing new combustion concepts for renewable fuels, new hybrid powertrains and vehicle level investigations.  

Your responsibilities as Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Performing CFD combustion simulations on hydrogen and its derivative fuels for internal combustion engines (ICE) 
• Developing combustion concepts for increased efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions 
• Develop CFD modelling tools for hydrogen and its derivative combustion modelling purposes. 
• Plan and participate experimental research for model validation purposes. 
• Collaborating in research team and project group with co-writing and project work 
• Participating in new project preparations, especially within the Horizon Europe work programme  
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and presenting results in conferences and seminars 
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members​ 

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in computational fluid dynamics related to internal combustion engine (ICE) modelling and simulation. 
• You are skilled in data-driven modelling methodologies, data analytics, and programming (Python, MATLAB, C/C++) 
• You are skilled in combustion related chemistry, thermochemical and physical phenomena.  
• Ideally you are experienced with OpenFOAM simulation environment.  
• Ideally you have already experience on experimental ICE research activities. 
• You are interested in internal combustion technologies and new renewable fuels in marine and off-road applications. 
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. 

As a person, we hope that you are:

• A fast learner, capable of working in a flexible and independent manner and collaborating with colleagues across different fields of science and technology.  
• You have a proven track record on self-initiative way of working. 
• We appreciate curiosity, passion as well as the ability to take the long-term perspective and find beyond-the-obvious solutions. 
• An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term research needs. 
• You are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your comfort zone to achieve the set ambitious goals.

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

• Science with an impact. At VTT, we seek to solve large societal challenges and drive a sustainable future through applied research and innovation. With us, you’ll get to work on research projects that make a concrete, positive impact in the world. 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. 
• Support for your postdoc research. During your postdoctoral term, we offer training in project management, scientific writing, communication, and commercialisation. You’ll have the opportunity collaborate with industry on projects, access our research infrastructure and internal support services, explore interdisciplinary research, and secure funding for your postdoc term. At VTT, you’ll enjoy flexibility and independence in your work, with a blend of academic research and engaging customer projects for an exciting career path. 
• Open culture of innovation. We have 80 years of experience in science-based innovation, a strong international reputation and global networks. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. At VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2200 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. Collaborating with amazing colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun. 
• 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. We offer 6 weeks paid vacation a year, and our benefits include extended occupational healthcare, and a range well-being services, such as exercise and culture benefits and hobby clubs. Read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation. 

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 26 November 2023. 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 Petri Söderena, petri.soderena@vtt.fi, +358 40 357 3420 on 10 November 2023 at 13–14 EET or 17 November at 10–11 EET. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo or Vaasa 

This position will be in a project funded by European Union's NextGenerationEU instrument.