Postdoctoral Researcher, Quantum Computing for Material Modelling

Are you interested in quantum computing applied to material modelling problems and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? 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 ProperTune Integration 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. VTT has excellent research infrastructure and internal services to support your research work.  

We are now recruiting four Postdoctoral Researchers in the Knowledge Driven Design research area to boost the concept of a Materials Acceleration Platform (MAP).  

In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will have an essential role in developing our competencies for using quantum computers to material modelling problems. You will be working in close collaboration with material scientist developing material models and optimize some parts of material models to be run with a quantum computer. Our team ProperTune Integration works on High Performance Computing utilizing fastest supercomputer in Europe, the LUMI, and VTT’s own gate-based quantum computers, extreme parallelization of code for material models, machine learning and AI.  

Our objective is to accelerate new material development with data driven and computationally fast solutions and that way support the development of new materials needed in green transition, finding substitutes because of resource scarcity and enabling development of totally new material applications.  

Read more about our VTT Propertune® concept: Computational material design – VTT ProperTune® 

 Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:  

• Conducting world class research in quantum algorithms and how to apply them to material science problems 
• Advancing the use of quantum computing in specified material development projects 
• Collaborating in research team and project group with co-writing and project work 
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and in seminars 
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members​. 

Who we are looking for: 

• Quantum computing expert familiar with materials modelling or material modeller (ICME) familiar with quantum computing.  
• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in computer science, physics or mathematics, or a closely related field. 
• You have experience in quantum computing research field and knowledge of how to utilize quantum algorithms to material science problems  
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken. 

As a person, we hope that you are: 

• Innovative, an outside-the-box thinker with the ability to learn new things continuously.  
• You enjoy challenges and have a strong passion for work.  
• We appreciate the ability to tolerate pressure and maintain good work-life balance, as well as the willingness to collaborate with experts and partners across different fields.  
• 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 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 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 hear more? 

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Marko Mäkipää, marko.makipaa@vtt.fi, +358 45 678 8723 on 23 September 12-14 o´clock or on 27 September between 10-11 o´clock (Finnish time, UTC+3). 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Vuorimiehentie 2, Espoo or Visiokatu 4, Tampere  

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: Full-time, three-year PostDoctoral contract starting in January 2025