Postdoctoral Researcher, Optical Communications

Are you interested in the combination of RF electronics and optical communications for high-speed network connectivity and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Do you want to join our connectivity research team at VTT? Our team focuses on the development of satellite and terrestrial communications solutions for demanding application areas such as autonomous and remote-controlled systems, and industrial users. The team is located in Oulu and Espoo, the location for this position is either in Oulu or Espoo.

VTT is one of the leading applied research organisations in Europe. What unites us are curiosity, 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 strengthen the expertise between our Network Connectivity team and Silicon Photonics team for a fixed-term three-year contract!

VTT has a Postdoc programme 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. 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.

With a strong background in optical communications using RF electronics and optical network protocols, you will have an essential role in developing and carrying out research in optical networks design. Knowledge and experience in applying optics and optical communication to quantum computing and quantum communication are considered highly advantageous. You identify and solve problems independently and creatively, while working closely and flexibly in a dynamic research team of experts. This opens excellent possibilities to participate both in national and international R&D projects.

Our network connectivity teams research and develops technologies and solutions for beyond 5G / 6G networks. While making good use of VTT’s extensive 5G/6G test networks, the developments are made in close collaboration with our industrial and academic partners. Meanwhile, the silicon photonics team develops photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on silicon chips. These PICs can be used in various applications that involve signal processing using the combination of high-speed (MHz/GHz) electronics and photonics.

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Conduct the design and implementation of optical communication systems
• Work in multidisciplinary projects within VTT together with the experts and know-how in the fields of telecommunication, optical networks, photonics, RF electronics, and their applications
• Collaborate closely with our clients, as customer assignments are an invaluable part of VTT’s R&D work
• Dissemination of results via publications and conferences

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in a field that involves optical networks and photonics
• Experience in protocol development and testing for optical networks simulations or implementation of optical networks
• Excellent communications skills in English are required. Finnish language is considered as an advantage
• Good understanding in some (not all) of the following areas is considered valuable:
  • Teleoperator optical network architectures and technologies, for example DWDMs, PONs, coherent transceivers, ROADMs and amplifiers
  • Datacenter operator optical network architectures and technologies, including datacenter internal and interconnect networks
  • Free space optical network architectures and technologies
  • Optical technology related electronics, chip (e.g. FPGA) and software implementation experience is considered additional benefit
  • QKD protocols and basic concepts of quantum communications
• Understanding or experience in implementation viewpoint of topics like below are seen beneficial:
  • Electronics and/or chip design experience of optical transceiver modules and/or related components, for example MAC chips
  • DSP software development experience is considered additional benefit
  • System level understanding of teleoperator, datacenter or free space optical networks is considered additional benefit

As a person, we hope that you are:

A results-driven professional who balances ambition with pragmatism, consistently striving for excellence while making thoughtful, strategic choices. With strong communication and collaboration skills, you engage effectively with colleagues across diverse fields. Your enthusiasm and outside-the-box thinking fuel your passion for science, research, and development, and you thrive on challenges and continuous learning. As an open-minded and forward-looking person, you bring a visionary perspective to long-term research needs. We highly appreciate your commitment to achieving ambitious goals, new topics and methods through innovation and adaptability – even those outside your comfort zone.

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.

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 latest on 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 Jukka Mäkelä, Research Team Leader, +358 40 024 5504 jukka.makela@vtt.fi (from week 32 onwards) or Juha Zidbeck, Research Team Leader +358 405180683, juha.zidbeck@vtt.fi.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo or Oulu

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 researchers 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.