Portfolio Lead, Microelectronics and photonics

Academic Positions; Finland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VTT, a leading Finnish applied research organization, seeks a Portfolio Lead for Microelectronics and Photonics. You will own the portfolio, align research with commercial opportunities and drive IP strategy. You will work with researchers, business development and launch teams to turn science into impact.

Based in Finland, the role involves leading strategic development, prioritising technologies and ensuring alignment with VTT’s long-term objectives and customer needs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in microelectronics, photonics, electrical engineering, physics or another relevant field.
• Strong understanding of research, innovation and technology development environments.
• Experience in developing and managing strategic portfolios, programmes or research initiatives.
• Deep understanding of microelectronics and photonics technologies, including chip design and fabrication.
• Commercial mindset with business acumen and IP/IPR experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of the Microelectronics and Photonics portfolio.
• Align research activities with commercial opportunities and long-term objectives.
• Collaborate with Research Professors, business development and project teams to maximise impact.
• Lead IP and IPR planning at a strategic level.
• Develop and utilise research infrastructure to support renewal and customer needs.
• Prioritise technologies for transfer, readiness, or spin-off creation.
• Communicate portfolio vision and roadmap to internal and external stakeholders.
• Build stakeholder relationships across the organisation and externally.

Skills

Strategic portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Technology evaluation

IP/IPR planning

Communication

Education

Master’s or PhD in Microelectronics/Photonics/Electrical Engineering/Physics

Job description

Organisation/Company VTT Research Field Engineering » Computer engineering Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Other Physics » Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 23 Sep 2026 - 20:59 (UTC) Country Finland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Are you interested in microelectronics and photonics technologies and looking for a new job 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 work at the interface of academia and industry and contribute to turning science into impact? VTT might be just the 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 from 55+ different nationalities 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 Portfolio Lead to join our Microelectronics and Photonics research area.

As Portfolio Lead, you will take holistic ownership of the Microelectronics and Photonics research portfolio and lead its strategic development. You will align research activities, commercial opportunities and VTT’s long-term ambitions. Working with Research Professors, business development professionals and project teams, you will strengthen portfolio impact, IP creation and the transfer of research outcomes into practical applications and business opportunities.

Our Microelectronics and Photonics research area works with customer segments including telecom, consumer electronics and space, from fast-growing start-ups to leading international brands. At Micronova in Espoo, we are part of a strong domestic ecosystem of more than 20 microelectronics companies operating in the cleanroom jointly run by VTT and Aalto University, the largest R&D semiconductor cleanroom in the Nordic countries.

• Lead and develop the strategic roadmap of the Microelectronics and Photonics research portfolio with research area's key stakeholders responsible for scientific renewal.
• Take ownership of the portfolio as a strategic whole and evaluate emerging technologies, trends and market developments in microelectronics and photonics.
• Ensure that portfolio activities support VTT’s strategic objectives, commercial potential and long-term impact targets.
• Lead IP and IPR planning in strategical level.
• Lead the strategic development and utilisation of research infrastructure to support scientific renewal, customer needs and long-term impact.
• Prioritise technologies for technology transfer, market readiness, existing business opportunities or spin-off creation.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Customer Operations and Launchpad teams to advance commercialisation and Research-to-Business activities.
• Build stakeholder relationships and communicate the portfolio vision, roadmap, progress and insights internally and externally.

Who we are looking for:

• You have a Master’s degree or PhD in microelectronics, photonics, electrical engineering, physics or another relevant field.
• You have a strong understanding of research, innovation and technology development environments.
• You have demonstrated ability to develop and manage strategic portfolios, programmes or research initiatives.
• You have a deep understanding of microelectronics and photonics technologies and their future development opportunities, including chip design, fabrication and related research infrastructure.
• You combine strong business acumen with a commercial mindset.
• You have experience in innovation commercialisation, technology transfer, IP or related activities.
• You understand research infrastructure development and its role in enabling scientific excellence and customer impact.
• You have excellent stakeholder management, collaboration, influencing, analytical and decision-making skills.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• A strategic and forward-looking thinker who can see the bigger picture while balancing short- and long-term priorities. You are curious, collaborative and influential, comfortable making decisions and leading without direct line management authority. You work proactively towards results and communicate effectively with both scientific and business stakeholders.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Executive Vice President Erja Turunen, [e-mail]

We look forward to hearing from you!