Research Scientist or Engineer, Bioprocess Engineering

Are you interested in developing bioprocessing for industrial biotechnology applications? Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of natural sciences with superb colleagues who are top experts 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 focuses on creating impact through science-based innovation. In recent years, we have created ground-breaking innovations such as the world's fastest and most accurate radiation detector, a cancer-sniffing sensor device for smartphones, and a headphone set entirely made of microbial materials. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra. 

We are now looking for Research Scientist or Engineer to work in our Bioprocess Engineering team 

As a Research Scientist/Engineer you plan & carry out research projects and help to develop new methods and tools. You have the opportunity to work with projects and topics of great importance to society such as production of sustainable, animal-free food proteins, novel biomaterials, enzyme mixtures for biofuel production, and therapeutic proteins for human medicine. These aims are in line with VTT’s mission to build a sustainable food system and enable bioinspired production for sustainable materials. 

Our Bioprocess Engineering team focuses on providing solutions for a variety of bioprocesses and exploitation of different organisms – from bacteria, yeasts and fungi to algae and plant cells. We do precise monitoring and characterization of microbial physiology in process conditions as well as optimization and scale-up from bench scale cultivations to semi-industrial pilot scale processes. 

Together with other research teams in VTT’s industrial biotechnology and food research, we are developing bioinspired processes and products paving a way for circular economy. 

Responsibilities: 

• As a member of the multidisciplinary research team, you will use your expertise in bioprocess technologies of cell factories for production of e.g., proteins and metabolites and development of new methods and tools  
• You will contribute to both academic and industrial customer research and development projects 
• Contribute to writing proposals for public funding 

Who we are looking for: 

• Master’s degree (from University or University of Applied Sciences) in bioprocess engineering or closely related field   
• Experience working with microbial physiology and fermentation processes 
• Excellent communications skills in English  

It is an advantage, if you have experience from one or more of the following areas   

• downstream processing methods  
• automation in biotechnology or machine learning 
• online monitoring of bioprocesses 
• strong data analysis skills and familiarity with ELN/LIMS type of software 
• interest for applying for national and international research grants 

As a person, we hope that you are: 

• Approachable and easy to talk to. You have strong communication skills and are able to interact efficiently in interdisciplinary contexts and with people from different fields. 
• An enthusiastic outside-the-box thinker. You enjoy challenges and learning new things, and have a strong passion for science and research and development. 
• Motivated and willing to take initiative in getting projects executed. 
• Independent and enjoy working at the laboratory.  

With VTT, you’ll enjoy: 

• Natural sciences with an impact. VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we've invested in 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 a 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 of knowledge. We work 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. Read more about our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work. 
• 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 for over ten 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 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, 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 answer to the preliminary screening question with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 6th of October.  

Interested and want to know more? 

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Mira Sulonen mira.sulonen@vtt.fi, +358504365431 on September 20th at 10 – 11 or September 23rd at 15 – 16. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Apply between 16 September 2024 and 6 October 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent

VTT

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.