Research or Senior Scientist, Smart Grids

Are you passionate about smart grids, power system control and automation, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques? Are you eager to take the next step in your career by working on groundbreaking projects that bridge the gap between academia and industry? If you're excited about contributing to innovative research in state-of-the-art facilities and shaping the future of energy systems, VTT could be the perfect 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 2000 brilliant minds focuses on creating impact through science-based innovation. In recent years, we have created ground-breaking innovations such as the world's fastest and most accurate radiation detector, a cancer-sniffing sensor device for smartphones, and a headphone set entirely made of microbial materials. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra.

We are now looking for a Research Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our Smart Grids team!

As a Research or Senior Scientist, your key goals are to lead groundbreaking research and innovation in smart grids, harnessing your deep expertise in power systems and cutting-edge technologies. With us, you will primarily focus on conducting advanced research, developing sophisticated experimental methodologies, and contributing to the ongoing innovation within our IntelligentEnergy laboratory. Depending on your experience and skills, you might also take on a leadership role, conducting research and driving project acquisition, leading large-scale research projects, and shaping the future direction of our smart grid research efforts.

You will take responsibility for developing sophisticated experimental research, focusing on real-time simulations, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, and SCADA. Your responsibilities will extend to research or leading significant research projects, with a special emphasis on cybersecurity and AI applications, including data analytics and machine learning to enhance power system flexibility, reliability, and resilience. Through your visionary approach and collaborative spirit, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy systems and fostering an environment of excellence and innovation within the team and the broader scientific community.

The Smart Grids team is at the forefront of crafting innovative solutions for the future low-carbon energy system in which the electrical grid plays a central role. With a deep understanding of the power systems' current operations within the broader energy system, our team is expert in anticipating and adapting to its future transformations. A confluence of global developments drives these changes: a shifting energy mix, the accelerated electrification of transport and industry, the rise of cutting-edge digital technologies, and the growing demand for a more reliable and flexible electricity supply. Our team's expertise uniquely positions us to navigate these complexities, ensuring that our solutions meet today's needs and pave the way for a sustainable and resilient energy future.

As a Research or Senior Scientist, you will:

• Foster advanced research in Smart Grid technologies. Your work will involve theoretical research and practical laboratory experimentation, particularly in SCADA systems, cybersecurity and AI applications, including data analytics and machine learning, real-time simulations, and HIL testing.
• Develop experimental research methodologies. Design and implement novel experimental approaches in the IntelligentEnergy laboratory. This includes developing models, HIL methods, SCADA integration, tools, and advanced data analysis platforms to support the research infrastructure.
• Develop research infrastructure. Enhancing the research infrastructure, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technological advancements and is capable of supporting complex experimental setups, including integrating and testing SCADA systems within the laboratory environment.

Based on your experience and skills, you might also:

• Manage research projects. Identify opportunities and manage research projects, particularly those focusing on microgrids, data analytics, ML, and AI applications.
• Mentorship and team leadership. Provide mentorship and guidance to scientists early in their careers, promoting a culture of learning and innovation. Your leadership will help build a cohesive, collaborative team.
• Advance collaborative partnerships. Initiate and cultivate partnerships with academia, industry, and governmental agencies.
• Contribute to scientific knowledge and policy development. Actively engage in the dissemination of research findings through publications, conferences, and workshops. Additionally, contribute to developing policies and standards related to smart grids and renewable energy systems, ensuring that your research has a lasting impact on the scientific community and society.

Your profile and experience:

• You demonstrate expertise in power systems, especially advanced power system control. Your experience extends to power system management, automation and mastery of communication protocols.
• You hold a Doctor of Science (Tech) degree in Electrical Engineering or Master of Science (Tech) degree, and you have gained a holistic understanding of power system development and operation through your work experience.
• Your expertise in data analytics, ML and AI techniques makes you valuable to the team. You are skilled in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, Julia, and/or Java.
• You are highly skilled in utilizing and integrating various power system simulation tools, including RT-Lab, RSCAD, Simulink, PSCAD, PowerFactory, and PSS/E.
• You speak English fluently. Other languages, especially Finnish, are considered an asset.
• You work well in a multicultural environment with other researchers and engineers.

The following things are considered as advantages:

• You have a proven track record in leading research initiatives, some of which are related to the integration of distributed and renewable energy resources, improving power system flexibility, reliability, and resilience, and the development of cutting-edge electricity distribution systems and power quality data analytics, with a strong emphasis on AI applications and cybersecurity.
• Your experience includes leading roles in modern testing environments, where you have designed advanced testing setups and overseen comprehensive experiments with various types of HIL. Your background in laboratory facility development and strategic planning is essential.

Your unique skills and experience may be just what we need, so please consider applying even if you do not meet every requirement listed!

As a person, we hope that you are:

• Good team worker and have a positive attitude towards complex research challenges.
• Fast learner and curious person, excited about learning and working with different projects on integrating energy resources in future power systems.
• Safety-minded person who is comfortable working in a low-voltage electrical laboratory environment.
• Excited about producing high-level research that leads to relevant publications; willing to perform vital networking with international academic partners.

What we offer you:

• 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 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, such as VTT FutureHub, the headquarters of VTT.   
• 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 10 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 great team spirit and leadership and offer versatile well-being services to enable a good work-life balance. On top of annual 6 weeks of paid holidays (after one year of work), we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and voluntary well-being services such as meditation programmes and trainings on cognitive ergonomics.

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 18 September 2024. We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate since we hope that the person can start as soon as possible. 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 Katja Sirviö, e-mail: katja.sirvio@vtt.fi, or tel. +358503140749 on 4 September at 15–16 or 16 September at 13–14 (Finnish time, UCT+3).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 28 August 2024 and 18 September 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent

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.