Research Scientist or Senior Scientist, soft materials modelling team

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 from 55+ different nationalities 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 a Research Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our soft materials modelling team.

In this role, you will develop and apply physics-based computational models for bio-based materials across scales. Your work will focus on molecular dynamics and – depending on your expertise – electronic structure calculations, continuum-scale methods, or combinations of these approaches.

You will analyse data, implement modelling methods, and turn scientific results into impact for research and industrial customers.

Our growing and diverse team, ProperTune Soft Condensed Materials, develops advanced modelling methods at the forefront of materials science. As such, we contribute to VTT's ProperTune concept for integrated computational materials engineering. We combine computational approaches, experimental insight, and interdisciplinary collaboration to accelerate materials development and create measurable impact. You will work with highly skilled colleagues and international partners while continuously expanding your own expertise.

As a Research/Senior Scientist, you will:

• Develop, implement, and validate computational models for soft materials across relevant scales.
• Apply expertise in molecular dynamics, and in addition electronic structure calculations, multiscale modelling, or finite element analysis to polymer and composite modelling.
• Analyse computational and experimental data and collaborate closely with experimental researchers and ML researchers in adjacent teams.
• Use high-performance computing environments and develop efficient computational workflows, including integration with data-driven and machine-learning approaches.
• Contribute to scientific publications, research reports, and the communication of results to customers and project partners.
• Work in publicly and privately funded projects in close collaboration with customers, funders, and international partners.
• At Senior Scientist level, lead projects and contribute actively to project preparation, customer work, and research and business development.

Who we are looking for:

• A PhD (or MSc for Research Scientist) in a relevant field such as Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics or another closely related discipline.
• Relevant work experience (minimum 5 years for Senior) in materials modelling with molecular simulation methods and codes (especially Molecular Dynamics with codes such as GROMACS and LAMMPS), as well as analysis and visualization.
• Experience in scientific programming and numerical simulations (e.g. Python, Mathematica, MATLAB, Julia, C/C++, or similar).
• Experience in polymer modelling and high-performance computing
• It's an advantage if you also have experience in electronic structure methods, multiscale modelling or machine learning
• Good written and spoken English and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international environments.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn.
• Comfortable working independently while welcoming close collaboration across disciplines.
• Motivated to understand customer needs, confident in engaging directly with customers and eager to translate research questions and customer needs into clear modelling objectives and practical results.
• Able to work at a good pace within clearly defined goals and move projects towards concrete outcomes.
• Open-minded and capable of finding practical, beyond-the-obvious solutions.

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 – Chain reaction for growth.
• 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, such as Micronova, the Finnish research infrastructure for micro-, nano-, and quantum technologies.
• 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 other versatile services aiming to support your occupational wellbeing.

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 no later than 1 November 2026. We will process applications as they arrive. 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 Olli Pakarinen olli.pakarinen@vtt.fi , or phone +358504368096 during Monday 19.10. at 15-16, Thursday 22.10. at 10-11, or Monday 26.10. at 14-15.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 14 October 2026 and 1 November 2026 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent