Are you passionate about digital innovation in the energy sector and its potential to transform the future? Do you have hands-on experience with Big Data, AI, applications and cloud-edge systems, and enjoy solving real-time, automated, and data-intensive challenges? 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 Scientist or Senior Scientist, your primary goal is to drive or contribute to impactful research and development focused on the digitalisation and optimisation of energy and power systems. You will work with technologies such as AI, machine learning (ML), big data analytics, and cybersecurity, applying them to real-world challenges in the energy domain. Depending on your skills and knowledge, you may lead development efforts or deepen your expertise in secure and intelligent communication networks, and data-driven tools and platforms that enhance the flexibility, reliability, and resilience of smart grids.
You will operate at the intersection of energy technologies and digital innovations, taking part in national and international research projects. Your contributions will support the integration of sensor networks, edge and cloud computing architectures, and AI-based decision-making into future-proof electricity systems. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external partners from academia, industry, and the public sector to co-create cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable energy future.
The Smart Grids team is at the forefront of building the digital backbone of tomorrow’s energy infrastructure. One of our specialisations is real-time data processing, digital twins, IoT integration, and intelligent control systems. We aim to develop and demonstrate how ICT and AI can be leveraged to manage the increasing complexity of electrified, decentralised energy systems.
As a Research or Senior Scientist, you will:
- Conduct or lead applied research in ICT, Big Data, and AI/ML with applications in energy systems, such as forecasting, anomaly detection, optimisation, and automation
- Design and manage IoT networks between centralised and distributed energy systems and our data laboratory environment, and take initiative in improving systems and methodologies.
- Integrate ICT systems with simulation and cyber-physical platforms, such as digital twins and CHIL/HIL environments, and explore novel ways to enhance their performance and reliability.
- Co-create digital solutions such as distributed control systems, data-sharing architectures, and intelligent applications for grid flexibility and asset management. Depending on your experience, you may also guide or coordinate the development of these solutions.
- Participate in field trials and on-site testing to validate developed solutions in real-world settings, and, when applicable, support the coordination of these activities.
- Work in collaborative research projects, contributing to or leading proposal writing, technical deliverables, and dissemination activities.
- Publish scientific results and present your work at conferences. As a more experienced researcher, you may also represent VTT in international networks or support junior colleagues in their dissemination efforts.
Your profile and experience:
- You have experience in data engineering, big data analysis and AI/ML applied to power system applications, such as forecasting, optimisation, fault detection, and predictive maintenance.
- You understand power systems operation, control, and protection, including familiarity with real-time simulation tools (e.g., RTDS, OPAL-RT).
- You understand cybersecurity for power system infrastructures, centralised and distributed computing architectures, and communication networks in IoT-based energy systems.
- You have a solid background in programming (e.g., C++, Python, MATLAB, or Julia).
- You hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Familiarity with the power system SCADA and have expertise in power systems communication protocols following IEC standards, such as IEC61850 and IEC 60870, is an advantage.
- Hands-on experience in deployment and testing algorithms in facilities is a plus.
- You are fluent in English, and knowledge of Finnish is a plus.
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:
- Someone who enjoys working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, multicultural team, and is motivated by creating real-world impact through your work.
- Good team worker and have a positive attitude towards complex research challenges.
- Analytical and detail-oriented, yet creative in developing solutions.
- Eager to learn and explore emerging technologies across disciplines
- Safety-minded person comfortable working with data-intensive environments and digital tools in simulated and real-world laboratory settings.
- Passionate about producing high-quality research and sharing knowledge with others.
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, 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 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 voluntary well-being services such as meditation and cognitive ergonomics training.
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 28 May 2025. 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: [email protected], or tel. +358503140749 on 13 May at 15:00 - 16:00 or 22 May at 9:00 - 10:00 (Finnish time, UCT+3).
We look forward to hearing from you!
Apply between 6 May 2025 and 28 May 2025 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.
