Are you interested in creating value from side streams 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? 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 2300 brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities 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 Gasification and synthesis gas processing team for a fixed-term three-year contract starting in January 2026! 

In this position, you have important role in realizing gasification technology integration with electrolysis and final synthesis. You will mainly work in public research projects but participate also in private industrial commission work in the field of thermochemical conversions.  With us you get to actively participate in scientific communication and innovation activities. Public research project preparation and sales activities are also an part of your work.  

Our team, Gasification and synthesis gas processing, works on thermal gasification of biomass and waste to develop new solutions for advanced fuels and chemicals production, gasification product gas and synthesis gas purification and carbon dioxide and syngas final synthesis. We have unique facilities for R&D from lab to pilot scale on development and scale-up of thermochemical conversion technologies towards circular economy solutions. The team works in close collaboration with our customers and other research teams at VTT with a business development and customer-oriented approach.   Read more about our research here: Thermochemical conversion infrastructure VTT 

VTT started a Postdoc programme in 2023 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. 

This position is located in Espoo, Finland at VTT Bioruukki pilot centre. 

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Developing new technologies for gasification and CO2 utilization 
• Participation in implementation and leading of projects. 
• Actively explore new technologies and participate in project planning, application writing and customer related work 
• Participating actively in dissemination in the international scientific community and support team members in publication activities.  
• Collaborating in research team and project group with co-writing and project work 

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in Chemical, Energy or Process Engineering. 
• Solid background in gasification, gasification product gas processing or synthesis gas chemistry 
• Previous experience in participation or leading R&D projects.  
• Proven track record in scientific publication and innovation actions. 
• You are fluent in written and spoken English. Other languages incl. Finnish is a plus.  

As a person, we hope that you are:

Able to work systematically, efficiently and proactively in our research team and independently carry out project assignments. Good communication skills are required, as you will be collaborating regularly with scientists, technicians and other stakeholders. You work well in a group and you are able to plan and implement your work independently. You love to learn and develop your expertise. 

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 over 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. On top of 6 weeks of paid holidays annually (after one year of work), 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 31 August 2025. 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 Ilkka Hiltunen +358 40 022 6730 on 8.8.2025 between 12-13 or on 11.8.2025 between 12-13.

We look forward to hearing from you!

This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes. The Programme has been granted 40 million euros in funding based on the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. This funding enables recruitment of 85 PhD-level experts to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas important to society and business. Postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.