Postdoctoral Researcher, Xr & Ai

Are you passionate about shaping the future of XR and AI, and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity to deepen your expertise? Do you want to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of immersive technologies and intelligent systems? 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 Smart Immersive Industrial Solutions team for a fixed-term three-year contract in Tampere!

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 play a key role in advancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML), into XR (AR/VR) environments. The goal is to develop intelligent digital twins that can support and accelerate the creation of immersive XR solutions. Your research will focus on backend intelligence—how AI can automate, simplify, and enhance the development of digital twins and XR environments.

You will explore how generative AI and LLMs can be used to:

• Automate the generation of digital twin components and XR content.
• Interpret domain knowledge and transform it into structured, interactive models.
• Enable adaptive, intelligent behavior in digital twins.
• Reduce the cost and complexity of creating and maintaining immersive environments.

Whether your interest lies in building AI-powered tools for XR development or designing AI applications that operate within XR environments, this position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge, unsolved challenges in a highly interdisciplinary setting.

Our Smart Immersive Industrial Solutions team contributes to innovation landscape by developing intelligent XR systems, human-robot interaction technologies, and AI-driven digital twins. We work at the intersection of AI, robotics, and immersive technologies. We develop smart immersive solutions that enhance and enable new forms of interaction in digital and physical environments. Our work supports VTT’s broader mission of solving global challenges through science and technology by enabling smarter, more sustainable, and more human-centric solutions.

Read more about our research: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/spatial-computing-extended-reality

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Conduct high-quality research on the integration of AI/LLMs/ML into XR and digital twin systems.
• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concept tools using Unity, Python, and open-source AI frameworks.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners on applied research projects.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and conferences.
• Contribute to project proposals and funding applications.
• Supervise or mentor junior researchers and interns.
• Actively participate in knowledge dissemination and community engagement.
• Explore commercialization opportunities for research outcomes.

Who we are looking for:

• You have completed your doctoral degree (within the last 5 years) in computer science, AI, XR, or a closely related field. (Please include your list of publications in your application)
• You have experience in XR development (preferably with Unity) or in fine-tuning LLMs and generative AI models.
• You are proficient in Python and/or Unity and comfortable working with open-source tools (please include your GitHub in your application).
• You have a strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and their practical applications.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• A curious and creative thinker who enjoys exploring new technologies and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI and XR.
• Comfortable working across disciplines, combining insights from computer science, design, AI, XR, robotics, and human factors to solve complex problems.
• Passionate about making a real-world impact through applied research and innovation.
• Self-driven and proactive, capable of managing your own research agenda while contributing to shared project goals.
• Resilient and solution-oriented, able to navigate ambiguity and technical challenges with a positive mindset.
• An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term research needs and willing to learn more about project proposals and applying for funding.
• 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 via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 31st of August 2025. 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 may be conducted during the recruitment process.

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader, Nikhil Pratap Pachhandara, nikhil.pachhandara@vtt.fi , +358 40 835 0441 on 6th August, 2025 14:00 – 15:00 or 12th August, 2025 15:00 – 16:00.