Postdoctoral Researcher, Bioprocess Modelling

Are you interested in the development of decision support systems and digital twin platforms for bioprocesses and looking for a postdoctoral 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 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. If you are an international talent searching for a new opportunity, read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation here!

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 60 different nationalities is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Bioprocess engineering team for a fixed-term three-year contract!

VTT started a Postdoc programme in 2023 to develop new ways to support scientific excellence and to strengthen career paths from universities to VTT. We want to provide development opportunities for recent university PhDs in applied research and industry collaboration. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at VTT, you are able to make an impact on our customers and society. Our researchers work closely together with industry, often in interdisciplinary research groups. VTT has excellent research infrastructure and internal services to support your research work.

In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will have an essential role in the development and deployment of data-driven approaches for bioprocess control. 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.

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Creation of a Digital Twin to mimic cells and bioprocesses by intertwining AI and experimental data for robust and scalable biomanufacturing
• Adaptation of state-of-the-art PAT for monitoring protein production bioprocesses
• Development and deployment of data-driven approaches, exploiting AI to empower novel decision support systems and digital twins
• Development, optimization and exploitation of genome-scale metabolic and other models using experimental data (e.g., omics, real-time measurements)
• Collaborating in research team and project group with co-writing and project work
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and contribute to writing proposals for public funding
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members.

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in biochemical engineering/bioprocess technology, bioinformatics or applied data science, or a closely related field.
• You have experience in (bio)process modelling and optimisation, and knowledge of process instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• You have demonstrated programming skills
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

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

• Fermentation processes
• AI and Machine Learning
• Automation in Industrial Biotechnology
• 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.
• An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term research needs.
• You are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your comfort zone to achieve the set ambitious goals.

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

• Science with an impact. At VTT, we seek to solve large societal challenges and drive a sustainable future through applied research and innovation. With us, you’ll get to work on research projects that make a concrete, positive impact in the world. Read more about our strategy, the path of exponential hope, and our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.
• Support for your postdoc research. During your postdoctoral term, we offer training in project management, scientific writing, communication, and commercialisation. You’ll have the opportunity collaborate with industry on projects, access our research infrastructure and internal support services, explore interdisciplinary research, and secure funding for your postdoc term. At VTT, you’ll enjoy flexibility and independence in your work, with a blend of academic research and engaging customer projects for an exciting career path.
• Open culture of innovation. We have over 80 years of experience in science-based innovation, a strong international reputation and global networks. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. At VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2200 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. Collaborating with amazing colleagues is a source of learning, inspiration, and fun.
• Nordic work-life balance. Working in Finland, the happiest country in the world, enables a great quality of life. At VTT, we make our people’s well-being a strategic priority. On top of 6 weeks of paid holidays annually (after one year of work), our benefits include extended occupational healthcare, and a range well-being services, such as exercise and culture benefits and hobby clubs. Read more about the benefits of living in Finland and VTT’s support for relocation.

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 31 August 2025. We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate. 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 Mira Sulonen, mira.sulonen@vtt.fi, +358 50 436 5431.

We look forward to hearing from you!

This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes. The Programme has been granted 40 million euros in funding based on the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. This funding enables recruitment of 85 PhD-level experts to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas important to society and business. Postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.