Are you interested in the combination of high-speed RF electronics and photonics for signal processing 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? 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 2300 brilliant minds from almost 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 Silicon Photonics team for a fixed-term three-year contract starting in January-April 2025!

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.

With a strong background in signal processing using high speed electronics and photonics, as a postdoctoral researcher at VTT, you will have an essential role of developing and carrying research in microwave photonics design. You identify and solve problems independently and creatively, while working closely and flexibly with a team of experts. You focus on design and simulations but also contribute to the assembly and testing of the microwave photonics systems.  

Our team develops photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on silicon chips that include e.g. Si and SiN waveguides, as well as many passive and active waveguide components, such as wavelength filters, optical modulators and Ge photodetectors. These PICs can be used in various applications that involve signal processing using the combination of high-speed (MHz/GHz) electronics and photonics. Application examples include radio-over-fiber and RF beam steering for mobile communication networks, optical transceivers for data centres, and 3D imaging with FMCW LiDARs and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Most of these are based on the interference of optical and/or electrical signals, which requires the handling of signal spectra from a few kHz up to ~200 THz The developments are made in close collaboration with our industrial, research institute and academic partners.
 
Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher: 
•    Design and simulate microwave photonic systems for different applications
•    Contribute to the design of PICs at least on the circuit level (optionally component level too)
•    Multidisciplinary networking within and outside VTT to bring together the experts and know-how in the fields of photonics, electronics, RF and their applications
•    Dissemination of results via journal articles and conferences

Who we are looking for:
•    You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in a field that involves high-speed signal processing with electronics and/or photonics 
•    You have experience in designing electrical and/or photonic systems for signal processing, preferably reaching >1 GHz signal frequencies
•    You have hands-on experience in measuring signals, preferably at >1 GHz frequencies
•    Excellent communications skills in English are required

As a person, we hope that you are:
•    You strive for excellent results, but you also can prioritize and make pragmatic choices
•    You have strong communication and collaboration skills. You are able to efficiently interact with your colleagues and with people from different fields.
•    An enthusiastic outside-the-box thinker. You enjoy challenges and learning new things and have a strong passion for science and research and development
•    You are eager to work with new topics with open-minded and "can-do" attitude
•    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. 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 via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 2nd of January 2025. 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 may be conducted during the recruitment process. 

Interested and want to hear more? For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Timo Aalto, timo.aalto@vtt.fi, +358-40-8485037 on Friday 20th December at 10-12 or Thursday 9th January 10-12 (Helsinki time).

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

Employment type: Fixed-term, 3 years (from the beginning of January-April 2025)