Senior or Research Scientist, Nuclear Energy Materials

Are you interested in nuclear energy and material performance and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of the academy and industry? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in state-of-the-art research facilities? 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 from almost 60 different nationalities is focused 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 research infra at VTT World. 

We are now looking for a Scientist to join our Advanced materials for nuclear energy team.

As a Senior or Research Scientist, you manage and execute materials research projects related to nuclear reactors and other sustainable energy production systems. Your key goal is to solve material issues of the industry by conducting material tests in pressure vessel systems using in-situ and ex-situ methods and analysing and reporting complex data. You will also lead research projects related to your research area and work actively with the customers and collaborators to initiate new project activities. In this position, you will have an essential role in solving global issues related to sustainable energy production.

Our Advanced materials for nuclear energy team works on solving material performance issues of nuclear power and other sustainable energy industries. Our project portfolio includes international and local government-funded research projects, as well as fast-paced customer contracts. New focus areas of the team include additive manufacturing, long-term operation (LTO), small-modular reactors (SMR) technologies, seasonal heat storage systems, and nanomaterials in energy production.

Read more about our research: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/vtt-centre-nuclear-safety  

Your responsibilities as a Senior or Research Scientist:

• Research work related to the focus areas of the team, including material issues related small modular reactors and long-term operation of nuclear power plants.
• Hands-on experimental work with pressure vessel systems to investigate the material performance.
• Lead and manage research and development projects. You plan new projects with your colleagues, interact with customers/partners, and manage resources.
• Analysis of complex material data including different forms of corrosion/electrochemical measurement data, and optical and electron microscopy analysis data of especially fracture surfaces.
• Supervise and mentor technical staff and colleagues early in their careers, such as MSc thesis students.
• Grow the project portfolio of the team in collaboration with colleagues.

Who we are looking for:

• You have several years of experience in an industrial or academic research environment with a focus on at least one of the following areas: materials degradation, stress corrosion cracking, electrochemistry, and/or power plant water chemistry.
• You have an MSc or PhD in materials science, metallurgy, power plant water chemistry, or a closely related field.
• You have project management experience and a willingness to further improve your project management skills.
• You are excited about experimental work involving high-pressure and temperature water and have no issues with hands-on work using common workshop tools when needed.
• You want to take a major role in our team building and leading a project portfolio in the materials for energy production research area.
• You work well in a multicultural team environment with other scientists, engineers, and laboratory technicians.
• You are willing, if necessary, to work with radioactive materials in the special facilities of VTT’s Centre of Nuclear Safety.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• Fast learner who is capable of working in a flexible and independent manner.
• A curious person who is excited about science and new technologies in the materials for energy production area and wants to solve local and global issues.
• A scientist with a customer focus and the ability to attract funding for your work.
• A safety-minded person who is comfortable working with radioactive materials in a safe and controlled research environment.

What we offer you:

• 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, and excellent research environment. Our researchers get to work on a combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects, both locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal such as the VTT Centre for Nuclear Safety. 
• Great career opportunities, and 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 10 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.
• Support for your well-being. Our people are our main asset, so we take good care of them. We aim to nurture great 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 programs and training on cognitive ergonomics.

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 20 May 2024. We will process applications as they come in, and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure will be conducted for the person selected for the role.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Mikko Vepsäläinen, mikko.vepsalainen@vtt.fi, +358 46 9206172 on 14 May at 14:30-16:30 am or 17 May 9:00-11:00 am (Finnish time UCT+3).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 30 April 2024 and 20 May 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent