Are you looking for a meaningful job in the field of microelectronics and quantum technologies with a possibility to make an impact?  

VTT is one of the leading research organizations in Europe and we are operating the largest R&D cleanroom in the Nordic countries, located in Micronova premises, Espoo. We develop innovative enabling technologies and apply them to practical micro- and nanosystems. We work closely with global players in the microelectronics field, including demanding industrial partners.  What unites us at VTT are the curiosity, passion of learning and devotion to finding solutions to global challenges and answers to our customers’ needs. You can familiarize with us further by exploring VTT’s research infra through VTT World.  

We are now looking for a visionary Research Team Leader for Quantum Hardware team. 

The team is part of VTT’s Microelectronics and quantum technology research area. The team is an international team comprised of world-class experts on superconducting circuits, mostly on permanent contracts and with more than half of the team having a doctoral degree. In terms of qubits, the team focuses on the development of fabrication technologies and interconnect solutions that allow scaling the qubit count in superconducting quantum processors without sacrificing quantum coherence. In terms of other superconducting circuits, the team develops single-flux quantum circuits, Josephson arbitrary waveform generators, as well as superconducting photodetectors. The team has a roughly even split between experts focusing on process development and physical characterization in the Micronova cleanroom and experts focusing on circuit design, modeling and cryogenic characterization. Research is done in close collaboration with other VTT teams, research partners and commercial customers both in Finland and abroad. 

The team is central to the effort to grow quantum technologies research at VTT and the team leader has a central role in facilitating that growth. As a team leader, you are in an excellent position to act as a thought leader on the topic of superconducting quantum circuits and utilize the efforts of a large group of experienced researchers to make that happen. Core responsibilities involve engagement with potential commercial customers, recruiting, identifying investment needs, allocating resources, and coordination and/or writing of project proposals and offers, in close collaboration with experienced project managers in the team. The team leader role is also in a key position in the organization for affecting broader decisions that build and drive forward impactful research.

 With us, you will be responsible for: 

• Visionary leadership of the team. You will be the spokesperson for the quantum hardware research topics and take an active role in promoting its visibility. 
• Relevance and ambition of the team’s project portfolio and impactful collaboration with companies, policy makers and other stakeholders. 
• Working as one of the key contributors of the area and participating in relevant research projects also yourself. 

• As member of the VTT’s Microelectronics and quantum technology research area’s leadership team, you find ways to combine competences and foster internal-/external collaboration to ensure wider impact. 
• This is a line manager role, so you are responsible for coaching the team and team members’ performance as an inspirational leader. Employee wellbeing, recruitment and team’s competence development are your key priority. 

Your profile and experience: 

• Excellent substance knowledge and understanding of the quantum hardware.
• Proven research skills with a strong track record and several years of working experience in driving excellence and impact in research. You have a Master of Science degree in a relevant field or equivalent science experience. A doctoral degree is considered an asset.
• Interest to commercialize team’s research and development to international customers.
• As a leader, you want to create positive drive and get people excited by coaching and setting ambitious targets together with the team. Strong and proven interpersonal skills are mandatory in the position.
• Good communication skills and ability to build high value research collaboration in the area.
• You should have proficient English skills.  

As a person, we hope that you are: 

• Science and technology leader with visionary view of your substance area 
• Motivating people leader with the ability to coach and develop people 
• Proactive and possess a self-driven mind-set 
• Creative and have the ability to develop new, innovative solutions for customers utilising existing and emerging solutions 
• Eager to learn and an ambitious to achieve high goals.

With VTT, you’ll enjoy: 

• Visionary work in technology. We offer positions at the cutting-edge of technology and engineering from next generation microelectronics and quantum technology to automation and robotics, energy systems and more. Our research agenda is dedicated to creating sustainable growth by solving systemic and technological challenges, so your work will go towards creating real, positive impact. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope. 
• Fascinating projects, excellent research environment. Our researchers get to work on a combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects, both locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal, such as Micronova, the Finnish research infrastructure for micro-, nano- and quantum technologies.   
• Great career opportunities, superb colleagues. 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 over 10 years since there are always new roles and responsibilities to grow into. Collaborating in a cross-disciplinary community with superb colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun. 
• 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. On top of 6 weeks of paid holidays, we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and voluntary well-being services such as meditation programmes and trainings on cognitive ergonomics. 

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 23rd of September 2024 

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä (tauno.vaha-heikkila@vtt.fi), Vice President, Microelectronics and Quantum technology.

Calling times related to this position are on Friday 23.8. at 13-14 hours Finnish time and Wednesday 4.9. at 9-10 AM Finnish time, Tauno Vähä-Heikkilä’s tel. +358407587941.  

We look forward to hearing from you!