Postdoctoral Researcher, AI Impact in Science Technology and Innovation

Are you interested in artificial intelligence (AI) and the ways it impacts Science Technology and Innovation, and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative research solutions 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? 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 almost 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 Quantitative Science and Technology Studies team for a fixed-term three-year contract starting in January 2025!

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.

In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will have an essential role in advancing research on AI and its impact using LLMs (large language models). You will have the opportunity, and expectation, to contribute to a variety of projects ranging from academic to industry focused. Our team, Quantitative Science and Technology Studies, focuses on analyzing changes in our technological world using large data sets and advancements in natural language processing, generative AI, particularly in the LLMs domain, so you will be offered tremendous support with the current solutions and cases we have developed using LLMs. The research results are adopted by decision-makers from private and public sectors and they support forward-looking decisions.

Read more about our research: https://cris.vtt.fi/en/organisations/quantitative-science-and-technology-studies-2

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Advancing research in AI and its impact in Science Technology and Innovation in specified projects.
• Designing and developing new methods and tools for analyzing the impact of emerging technology on firms and society.
• Contribute to the teams' development regarding the LLM based applications.
• Collaborating in a research team and project group, including co-writing research articles involving research design, data collection, analysis, methodology execution, and drafting.
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and also interactive discussion with our customers.
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members​.

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in fields such as AI, Data Science or Science Innovation and Technology Studies, or a closely related field. Applicants who are close to completing their doctorate (with a thesis scheduled by 30 September 2024) will also be eligible for the position.
• You have experience in methods for analyzing large texts, such as natural language processing or use of LLMs.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Hands-on experience with coding (e.g., Python) and software programming concepts is required.
• Experience in international and EU projects is highly valued.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• 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 to 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 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, cover letter and short (max. 2 pages) Research Plan via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 30 September 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 may be conducted during the recruitment process.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Arash Hajikhani, arash.hajikhani@vtt.fi, +358 40 9333 549 on Monday 16 September at 13:00 - 14:00 or Friday 27 September at 11:00 - 12:00 (Finnish time UCT+3).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Tekniikantie 21, Espoo (Tampere and Oulu are negotiable)

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.

Apply between 9 September 2024 and 30 September 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Fixed-term, 3 years (from the beginning of January 2025 until the end of December 2027)

VTT

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.