Are you all about science and technology? Would you like to develop your skills and use them to tackle the greatest challenges of our time? VTT might be just the place for you – apply now for VTT Summer of Changemakers 2025 traineeships!

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 over 55 different nationalities is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Now, we are looking for passionate changemakers – you – to join us as summer trainees.

Our last summer's trainees rated their summer job experience at VTT 4.6/5 in Oikotie's Responsible Summer Job survey. Below are some excerpts from their feedback when asked what was the best part of their summer job:

“Great team, interesting tasks, enough responsibility, and opportunities to make an impact.”
“I got to know a lot of professionals from different fields with this summer job. So, networking is the best part.”
“Interesting projects, nice and helpful colleagues, work-life balance, and equal treatment with permanent colleagues.”

Do you want to be our next Master’s thesis worker? 

Fungi are remarkably diverse and ubiquitous and we could absolutely not live without them. Yet, fungi that thrive as pathogens pose grave medical and economic challenges. Every year, 125 million tonnes of the top five food crops are destroyed and 1.5 million humans die due to fungal diseases. The current therapeutic options are insufficient.

In this position, you will have an essential role in helping understand cell death in fungi and advancing novel antifungal compounds. This work is integrated in an ongoing international project that aims to tackle the global issue of fungal infections through the development of innovative antifungal drugs.

Our team focuses on the application of fungal cell factories to produce proteins that are relevant to the pharmaceutical, biomaterials, food and enzyme industries. In addition, we strive to understand fundamental aspects related to the biology of filamentous fungi and their lifestyles.

What your responsibilities as a Master’s thesis worker would include?

• Conduct laboratory experiments related to molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology.
• Organise and analyse results (statistically and through the generation of tables and graphs) and discuss the next steps.
• Present data in one-on-one and group meetings.
• Communicate with collaborators outside VTT.
• Write a clear and organised thesis.

Who we are looking for?

• Preference will be given to a Master's level student majoring in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, medicinal chemistry (or related fields). Candidates with a different study background but a strong interest in the topic are encouraged to apply as well.
• We will value a strong spirit of initiative and a good sense of responsibility and organisation.
• Someone who can see the bigger picture questions and act proactively to find solutions.
• A committed student who feels comfortable in a dynamic work environment.
• Experience with the manipulation of microbes, especially fungi, will be considered favourable but not essential.
• The selected candidate must have good English communication skills.

The ideal VTT Changemaker is a curious mind, who is eager to develop and take on new challenges. We appreciate ambition and willingness to learn over having all the answers or skills ready when you start. You are also a team player with strong collaboration skills who wants to drive positive impact in the world.

What would we offer you?

• Impactful work for the future. As a leading applied research organisation, we are on a mission to bring exponential hope to the world by joining together people, businesses, science and technology. We tackle the biggest challenges of our time – from climate change and resource sufficiency to industrial renewal and smart healthcare – and turn them into sustainable growth. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope.
• Career opportunities, top-level mentors. At VTT, your skills are appreciated and supported with the opportunity to learn from the top experts in their field. You’ll get to discover our community of over 2300 experts representing more than 55 nationalities working across cutting-edge fields of science and technology.
• Meaningful projects, real responsibility. With us, you get to take on meaningful projects and create innovative scientific and technical solutions. We treat all employees as equals and give you real responsibility from the start. VTT is a caring employer that supports your growth and work–life balance and offers a range of well-being services.

What is like to work with us solving the biggest challenges of our time? Check from the video what kind of experiences Aymara, Daniil, Eric and Isabella had from their summer traineeships and what kind of change did they drive.

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Come, curious minds and clever changemakers! Prepare your CV and cover letter and send in your application with your transcript of records via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 2 February 2025. Let’s change the world for the better next summer.

All VTT Summer of Changemakers traineeships are paid, and the salary is determined based on study credits: for Master's students, the monthly salary is between 2600€ and 2800€, and for Bachelor's students the monthly salary is between 2100€ and 2400€. The typical duration of traineeships is between 3 and 6 months, with start dates usually falling between March and June, however, the length and the exact starting date can be discussed with the hiring team. 

Please read more of VTT Summer of Changemakers from here: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/summer-changemakers

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Pedro Gonçalves, pedro.goncalves@vtt.fi.

We will process applications as they come in and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate. We will inform all applicants about the continuation of the process during February 2025. Most of the interviews will be held in February-March, however, they can start already during the application period.

We look forward to hearing from you!