Are you interested in hydrogen 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 Hydrogen Applications team!

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 will be able to make an impact on our customers and society. Our researchers work closely 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 further developing our capabilities and knowhow related to hydrogen. The role is fixed-term of approximately 2 years, starting earlier on 2 January 2024 and lasting until 31 December 2025. The Hydrogen Applications team focuses on hydrogen use applications and hydrogen safety, logistics and storage. The whole value chain approach, connecting H2 use cases to technology developers is at the core of the team focus.

Read more about our research:  https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/hydrogen-technologies-and-fuel-cells-research

Your responsibilities as Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Impurity tolerance and PEMFC degradation issues at cell, stack and system level or
• Use of hydrogen carriers (NH3, methanol, LOHC, etc) in combination with PEMFC/PEMEL and/or SOFC technologies and related challenges or
• Electrolysis (PEMEL/SOEC)
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members
• Developing laboratory infrastructure
• Assisting or leading in preparing project proposals depending on your interests and background

Who we are looking for:

• You have experience in hydrogen research field and knowledge of PEMFC/PEMEL, preferably related to at least one of the aspects mentioned above
• You have a doctoral degree in a relevant field
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• 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 3 December 2023. We will process applications as they come in, and fill in the position 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 Research Team Leader Markus Rautanen, +358405387552, on 14 November at 14-15 or 24 November at 13-14 (Finnish time).

We look forward to hearing from you!

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