Are you interested in sustainability and LCA and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of the 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 2300 brilliant minds 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 Senior Scientist to join our Sustainable Business team.

As a Senior Scientist, you will play important role in assessing the sustainability of new products and technologies and steering sustainability transition. The main fields of research include life cycle assessment (LCA), related methods and tools, sustainability transition and how it is enabled by different factors. In this position, you will have the opportunity to study the latest research methods and standards related to life cycle assessment and circular economy, and to apply them in practice in close cooperation with our clients and research partners. You will work on projects as a researcher and project manager and will have the opportunity to learn from different sectors and products and to develop your expertise in different sustainability metrics and topics. 

Our team, Sustainable Business, works at the interface of environment, economy, society, and technology. We work in a transdisciplinary and holistic manner applying various research methods that are adapted to different contexts. We work together with industry and VTT’s technology experts providing science-based sustainability information. Our overall aim is to support strategic decision-making and to promote transition towards more sustainable production and consumption habits. 

As Senior Scientist, you will:

• Be actively involved in the planning, preparation and execution of research and client projects. 
• Contribute to sustainability transition by producing science-based information. 
• Participate in LCA-related method development and follow the development of regulations and standards related to life cycle-based sustainability assessment at European level. 
• Lead Finnish and European research projects and work together with companies conducting customer work. 
• Use your advanced skills in English to write scientific articles and research reports that help the team communicate its results clearly. 

Who we are looking for:

• You have at least 5 years of work experience related to sustainability assessment, circularity or corporate sustainability related projects. 
• You have a demonstrated understanding of the broader dynamics of sustainability transition, with a particular focus on its application in the industry. 
• You have good mathematical skills and experience from demanding LCA projects and related modelling. Your technical expertise is complemented by excellent interpersonal skills.    
• You have experience from project management. 
• You are proficient in writing research reports in English.  
• You have a Doctoral degree in Environmental or Natural Sciences, Engineering, Economics or other relevant field, or a Master’s degree combined with several years of work experience. 

As a person, we hope that you are:

• A fast learner who is able to work flexibly and independently.
• A dynamic team member who excels at collaborating with colleagues from a variety of scientific and technical backgrounds. 
• We value curiosity, a genuine interest in a wide range of sustainability issues and a willingness to learn about new research methods and technologies.

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 a 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 locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal, such as VTT FutureHub, the headquarters of VTT. 
• 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 for over ten 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. Read more about our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.
• Support for your well-being. Our people are our main asset, so we take good care of them. We aim to nurture excellent 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 annually (after one year of work), we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and voluntary well-being services such as meditation and cognitive ergonomics training.

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 15.5.2024. We will process applications as they come in and fill 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 know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Hanna Pihkola, tel. +358403515819 on Friday 3.5 at 14-15 or Tuesday 7.5 at 9-10 (EET). 

We look forward to hearing from you!