Senior Project Managers/Scientists, Hydrogen Technologies

Are you interested in hydrogen and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Would you like to build impactful research projects and lead larger research and development initiatives? Would you like to work at the interface of industry and applied research with top experts in their field? Do you want to play a key role in shaping new research portfolios with strong societal and industrial relevance? 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 2400 brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities focuses on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.

We are now looking for 1-2 Senior Project Managers/Scientists to join our Hydrogen teams!

As a Senior Project Manager/Scientist, you will have a key role in initiating, preparing and leading research projects and building a project portfolio. You will be responsible for developing new research ideas into commercial and jointly funded projects and managing larger project entities in close collaboration with the team and stakeholders. In the long term, your work combines project acquisition, project leadership and hands-on scientific work. This role is an excellent fit, e.g., for professionals with industrial experience who want to apply their expertise in a research-driven environment and influence the development of future technologies.

Our growing community of fuel cell and hydrogen professionals, currently numbering around 50 people in several teams, works with fuel cell and electrolysis technologies. We work closely with companies that manufacture and utilise these technologies. Our teams are part of the Energy research area, which develops technologies and solutions for the energy transition and decarbonisation of industry: hydrogen, electrification, CCSU, and power systems, as well as digitally enabled rapid scale-up and systemic solutions that support a clean transition. Our new research facilities are located in Kivenlahti, Espoo.

Read more about our research: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/hydrogen-technologies-and-fuel-cells

As a Senior Project Manager or Senior Scientist, you will:

• Initiate and prepare new research, development and innovation projects
• Take responsibility for building and managing a project portfolio
• Act as a project manager and/or work package leader in national and international projects; both commercial customer projects and jointly funded projects (e.g. Business Finland, EU, Academy of Finland)
• Develop new ideas in a close collaboration with the team
• Manage customer and stakeholder communication
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams
• Contribute to the substance and practical implementation of projects
• Support and mentor junior researchers in project work
• Collaborate actively with industrial partners, funding bodies and research networks.

Who we are looking for:

• Proven track record in leading and/or acquisition of large and demanding projects (with extensive practical experience; certification such as IPMA-C or equivalent is an advantage) in academic or industrial settings.
• You have a Master’s or Doctor's degree in a relevant technical field, such as process engineering, energy technology, automation engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering or engineering physics.
• Technology background with experience in hydrogen technologies (e.g. Power-to-X, electrolysis or fuel cells) and a strong interest in applied research in an industry-relevant context
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to independently build and sustain a project portfolio.
• Experience from industry, research organisations/universities or both.
• Spoken and written English language skills – Finnish language skills are considered an advantage.

As a person, we hope that you are:

A R&D project leader who communicates clearly, makes timely decisions and keeps complex projects on track. You collaborate smoothly across disciplines, are comfortable with ambiguity, and maintain a customer- and impact-focused approach. You’re proactive, structured and resilient – able to navigate demanding situations and guide teams to success.

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 – the path of exponential hope.
• Fascinating projects, 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.
• 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 at the latest by 15 March 2026. 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:

• Olli Himanen, Research Team Leader, Hydrogen production, olli.himanen(at)vtt.fi, +358403526298 on 23.2.2026 9:30-10:30 or 11.3.2026 9:30-10:30.
• Markus Rautanen, Research Team Leader, Hydrogen applications, markus.rautanen(at)vtt.fi, +358 40 5387552 on 27.2.2026 14:30-15:30 or 5.3.2026 13:00-14:00.

We look forward to hearing from you!