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 2026 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 nearly 2400 brilliant minds from 60 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 4.8/5 in our summer job survey. Below are some excerpts from their feedback when asked how they would describe VTT as a workplace:

"I was impressed by how much responsibility and freedom I was given. I was trusted to work independently, but support was always available when needed."

"VTT is a professional, inspiring, and forward-looking workplace where practical impact is evident. The work community is skilled and open to new ideas."

"I found VTT versatile, innovative, and inspiring."

Do you want to be a Research trainee in our Future Radio Networks team? Join us - and let’s make science work for hope next summer! 

As a research trainee, you will be working with our experts, thinking beyond the obvious, together. Above all, we are looking for a person motivated and interested in learning new skills and using them to tackle the greatest challenges of our time.

You will become acquainted with a research scientist’s work, receive high-level support, and have the opportunity to improve your scientific competence. You will have the opportunity to learn how to utilize radar data for detection and tracking by using advanced AI and data analysing methods. You will also study the HW/SW solutions for Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) and implement your own algorithms and methods in VTT’s development environment. You will also have the possibility to become familiar with the most recent advances of AI-RAN (Radio Access Networks) concepts and solutions. Depending on the ongoing projects and your own interests, enlarging the topic for the Diploma thesis is also possible. 

In this position, you will be working in the Future Radio Networks team focusing on cutting-edge radio network technologies. The team develops smart and critical connectivity solutions in the areas of terrestrial and non-terrestrial (satellite, air-borne) radio networks, joint-radar communications, defence (e.g., Electronic warfare algorithms) and other safety critical systems. Our work supports VTT’s mission in providing societal safety and security and for VTT’s aim to create impact. 

What would your responsibilities include?

Your responsibilities will cover one or several of the following:

• Studying ISAC technologies, VTT’s radar and ISAC simulation and PoC platforms, radar data analysis and AI methods  
• Planning and carrying out radar measurements, collecting data and doing the data pre-processing as well as analyzing the measured data 
• Develop new detection and tracking algorithms in VTT’s development environment comprising e.g. of radar prototypes and algorithm libraries 
• Working, and reporting the findings both orally and in writing as part of the VTT team and projects. All tasks will be supervised and supported by VTT experts.  

Who we are looking for?

• You are finishing your Master's or Bachelor's studies in telecommunications or computer science and engineering.   
• You have basic knowledge of 5G network technologies and architectures 
• Basic knowledge of Signal Processing, Data Analysis and AI/ML Python Libraries 
• You have basic programming skills: e.g. Python, C++ or MATLAB 
• You have good written and spoken English skills. 

It is counted as an advantage, if you have:

• A troubleshooting mindset for Hardware–software interaction issues 
• Finnish language skills 

As a person, we hope that your are 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. It is also important that you are willing to work independently and can carry out your tasks on your own under the guidance of your supervisors.

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 nearly 2400 experts representing 60 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 1 February 2026. 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 2650€ and 2850€, and for Bachelor's students the monthly salary is between 2150€ and 2450€. 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 Kari Heiska (Research Team Leader): kari.heiska@vtt.fi, 0407742612, on 26 January at 14-14:30 or on 2 February at 14-14:30. 

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 2026. Most of the interview will be held in February-March, however they can be started already during the application period. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo (Otaniemi) or Oulu