Are you interested in raw material sustainability and circular economy, and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Are you looking to develop your skills and experience in scaling-up research results with colleagues who are top experts in the field? 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 from 60 different nationalities focuses on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.

We are now looking for a Research Scientist or Research Engineer to join our Chemical process technology team for a one-year fixed-term employment!

Your key goal is to contribute to the research projects related to the development of new industrial process technologies, with a focus on chemical engineering of renewable and recycled materials and related process scale-up.

In this position, you will have a major role in demonstrating and upscaling research for our customers and internal and external project partners in jointly funded projects. The work includes experimental work from bench to pilot scale, and you will be part of our Chemical process technology team in Bioruukki, Espoo. This is a unique opportunity for getting familiar with how research scale-up is carried out at VTT from first ideas towards industrial applications.

Our team, Chemical process technologies, of around 20 experts, works on developing and up-scaling processes and technologies from lab to pilot scale in a wide industrial range. Typical projects are related to extraction of valuable materials and compounds from forest industry side streams, functionalization of biobased materials and polymerization and depolymerization related to renewable plastics and plastics recycling.

Read more about our team’s research at Chemical process technology | VTT Research.

Your responsibilities as Research Scientist/Research Engineer:

With us, you will participate in planning, selling, implementation and leading of projects in the field of chemical engineering of renewable and recycled materials and related process scale-up. The work includes guiding and carrying out experimental work together with the team from laboratory to pilot scale. A key element of the work is hands-on participation in experimental work and supporting work related to maintaining and developing the equipment and infrastructure to support the varying scope of projects. Depending on your background, emphasis can be more Research Engineer‑oriented (organising and executing testwork) or Research Scientist‑oriented (taking wider ownership and contributing to project preparation along experimental execution).

Main responsibilities:

• Participate in planning, implementation and reporting of projects related to renewable and recycled materials processing and the related scale-up.
• Managing related projects and testwork equipment, facilities and applications.
• Participating in safety development within the team, projects and equipment use.
• Support the creation of new business opportunities internally and externally for VTT with customers and partners in the related field.

Who we are looking for:

• You have a Bachelor’s degree (University of Applied Sciences / Bachelor of Engineering, AMK) or an MSc degree in process or chemical engineering or a closely related field. A basic understanding of chemistry is mandatory. Understanding of polymer chemistry/technology (e.g. polymerisation or depolymerisation) is an advantage.
• Experience and understanding of chemical industry processes and related process design and scale-up from research.
• Previous experience of working in the process industry or applied research in laboratory and bench scale. Willingness to understand how research is converted to pilot scale and from there to industrial applications.
• Motivation and capacity to build and manage projects in an international, multi-project environment together with the other scientists in the team.
• Ability and willingness to learn how to operate any process equipment, as well as understand process and product testing requirements and teach their use to others.
• Good English skills, both written and spoken.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customers or project locations.

It’s an advantage if you also have some of these:

• Knowledge of various chemical industries and processing of renewable and recycled materials (e.g. extraction, modification and functionalization of biobased materials, polymerization and depolymerization related to renewable plastics and plastics recycling).
• Basic understanding of industrial scale-up and industrial equipment and plant designs.
• Basic understanding of process modelling, life cycle analysis and technical and economic analysis as tools for scale-up and experimental design.
• Experience in developing research-based project plans for supporting customer sales and in applying public funding and building required networks.

As a person, we hope that you:

• Enjoy challenges and have a strong passion for learning new things.
• Are an open-minded and innovative person enjoying hands-on problem solving.
• Are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your comfort zone, to achieve the set ambitious goals.
• Consider the impact of your actions, prioritising safety and quality.
• Have excellent collaboration skills within own team, project groups and external networks.
• Are proactive, not afraid to “roll up your sleeves”, and able to take responsibility for advancing experimental work, equipment readiness and project progress.

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 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 knowledge. We work truly 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.  
• 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 10 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 great team spirit and leadership and offer versatile well-being services to enable a good work–life balance. 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 13.4.2026. We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate. The planned starting date for this position is in early August 2026, but an earlier start, e.g., in June 2026, can be discussed.

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Tuomas van der Meer, tuomas.vandermeer(at)vtt.fi, or call on 2.4.2026 at 10:00 - 11:00 (Finnish time) +358 50 473 6218.

We look forward to hearing from you!