Are you interested in development of novel sustainable bio-based materials solutions and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of natural sciences with superb colleagues who are top expert in their field? Do you want to build a science career and work in a versatile role at the interface of academy and industry? 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 2000 brilliant minds is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT’s research infra at VTT World.  

We are now looking for a Senior Scientist in the field of Biomass chemistry and valorization to join our Biorefining Chemistry -team.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to foster the development of novel bio-based material solutions. Your key goal is to take the lead in project proposal preparations to Business Finland and EU calls in the field of biomass processing towards sustainable products. In this position, you will have a major role in bringing together the consortia and coordinating the applications writing. You will take an active role in offering our R&D expertise and know-how as well as writing the proposals. You are also expected to participate in project and task management in internal and external projects as well to as provide scientific and technical expertise to the projects.

Our team, Biorefining Chemistry is focusing on development of resource efficient biorefinery concepts, enabling optimal conversion of biomass and currently underutilized side-streams into sustainable high-performance materials and products, with special emphasis in the valorization of lignin side-streams. Biomass fractionation, characterization and upgrading of the components to versatile bioproducts, by using chemical, thermal and enzymatic processing techniques, are in the very core of the team’s competence.
 

Who we are looking for:

• PhD or Master’s degree in biomass processing, biomaterials, organic or polymer chemistry, or closely related field. Experience in sustainability, circular economy or impact assessment is considered an advantage.
• Strong expertise in biomass processing technologies, and excellent knowledge especially on valorization various pulp mill side streams
• Willingness to act as a project coordinator and preferably a proven track record in applying public funding and in building national and international consortium
• You have or you are willing to establish national and international (EU) networks in research organisations and corresponding industry
   

As a person, we hope that you are:

An open-minded and innovative person with a vision on longer term research needs. You enjoy challenges and have a strong passion for work. You are eager to work with new topics, even out of your comfort zone to achieve the set ambitious goals. You have a good balance of scientific and business-oriented mind-set in order to turn research results into commercial solutions. We appreciate the capability to communicate and engage with research partners and customers in order to create new research and business opportunities.
 

With VTT, you’ll enjoy: 

• Natural sciences with an impact. VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we’ve invested into 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 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. 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 25 of May 2022. We will process applications as they come in and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate. We start to organise interviews as soon as applications are received.
 

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact:
Stina Grönqvist, Research Team Leader, stina.gronqvist@vtt.fi, + 358 40 820 7508.
Atte Virtanen, Vice President, atte.virtanen@vtt.fi, +358 50 577 9770
 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo, Finland