Postdoctoral Researcher, Ship Energy Systems

Are you interested in application of alternative clean energies and ship energy system simulations and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative technology 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? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in state-of-the-art research facilities? 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 focuses 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 Maritime Research 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.
In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will have an essential role in developing methodology and tools for the assessment of power demand for maritime applications including propulsion systems.
Our Maritime Research team works on topical issues of decarbonization and digitalization of maritime transportation. The goal is to improve energy efficiency and safety of seaborne transportation. The team consists of experts in; ship hydrodynamics computational modelling, life cycle assessment, energy system modelling and optimization, structural vibration and underwater acoustics modelling, ship navigation modelling.
Read more about our research: Maritime Research projects 

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Developing powering simulation methodologies and tools at VTT, both inhouse and commercial tools
• Conducting research on applications of alternative fuels for retrofit and newbuild ships
• Advancing uptake of the alternative energy in the maritime transportation
• Analysis and optimization of propulsion power through the state-of-the-art simulation tools
• Collaborating in research team and project group with co-writing and project work
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and other dissemination. 

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in Naval Architecture, Hydrodynamics, Energy Technology, Technical Mechanics, or a closely related field.
• You have experience in Fluid and/or Structural dynamics research field and knowledge of marine technology.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• You have good communication skills in spoken and written English. Experience in project or customer work is an asset. The ability to apply theoretical understanding to create practical solutions will be highly appreciated.
• Expertise in using simulation and modelling software to develop solutions to fluid dynamics, structural dynamics or vibro-acoustic challenges is considered an advantage.

As a person, we hope that you:

• Are willing to act as a team member in a project environment requires flexibility, willingness to communicate and co-operate with customers and research partners.
• Have interest towards maritime technologies.
• Are an open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term research needs.
• 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 with your salary request 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 the position as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure may be conducted during the recruitment process.

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. The 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.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Teemu Manderbacka, teemu.manderbacka (a) vtt.fi.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Employment type: Full-time, 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.