Postdoctoral Researcher, Bioprocess Modelling and Automation Tools

VTT; Espoo; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

VTT invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioprocess Engineering in Espoo, Finland, for a fixed-term 2.5-year contract. The role focuses on data-driven bioprocess control, digital twins, and AI-powered decision support, with collaboration across interdisciplinary teams and strong ties to industry.

The postdoc programme aims to translate research into industrial utilization, offering opportunities to publish, secure funding, and advance a career at the interface of academia and

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in biochemical engineering/bioprocess technology or related field.
• Strong interest in data-driven biotechnology and AI/ML.
• Experience in bioprocess modelling and data acquisition systems.
• Hands-on experience in microbial physiology and fermentation processes.
• Proven programming skills.
• Excellent communication in English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Create a Digital Twin to mimic bioprocesses using AI and data.
• Adapt state-of-the-art PAT for monitoring production bioprocesses.
• Integrate PAT data with models for bioproduction tools.
• Develop data-driven approaches and AI-powered decision support.
• Collaborate in research teams and projects.
• Disseminate results via publications and proposals for funding.
• Supervise or mentor junior team members.

Skills

Data-driven biotech

AI/ML

Bioprocess modelling

Process instrumentation

Programming

English communication

Education

PhD in biochemical engineering/bioprocess technology

Tools

PAT

Bioinformatics

Job description

Are you interested in the development of decision support systems and digital twin platforms for bioprocesses and looking for a postdoctoral opportunity in the field? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues in state-of-the-art research facilities? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of academy and industry? 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 timeand 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 Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Bioprocess engineering team for a fixed-term 2,5 year contract!

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 to strengthen their skills in applied research and develop insight into translating research results to industrial-utilization. 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 the development and deployment of data-driven approaches for bioprocess control. Our Bioprocess Engineering team focuses on providing solutions for a variety of bioprocesses and exploitation of different organisms – from bacteria, yeasts and fungi to algae and plant cells. We do precise monitoring and characterization of microbial physiology in process conditions as well as optimization and scale-up from bench scale cultivations to semi-industrial pilot scale processes. Together with other research teams in VTT’s industrial biotechnology and food research, we are developing bioinspired processes and products paving a way for circular economy.

Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:

• Creation of a Digital Twin to mimic bioprocesses by intertwining AI and experimental data for robust and scalable biomanufacturing
• Adaptation of state-of-the-art PAT for monitoring production bioprocesses
• Integration of PAT-derived real-time process data with mechanistic and data-driven models to develop model-guided bioproduction tools
• Development and deployment of data-driven approaches, exploiting AI to empower novel decision support systems and digital twins
• Collaborating in research teams and project groups
• Participating actively in dissemination with journal publications and contributing to writing proposals for public funding
• Supervising or tutoring junior team members

Who we are looking for:

• You have recently (max 5 years ago) gained your doctoral degree in biochemical engineering/bioprocess technology, bioinformatics or applied data science, or a closely related field.
• You have a strong interest in data-driven biotechnology and hands-on experience with using AI/ML as tools for advancing your research work
• You have experience in (bio)process modelling and optimisation, and knowledge of process instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• You have some hands-on experience in microbial physiology and fermentation processes
• You have demonstrated programming skills
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

It is an advantage, if you have experience from one or more of the following areas:

• High-throughput technologies and automation in Industrial Biotechnology
• Genome scale metabolic models, analysis of big data
• Applying for national and international research grants.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• Approachable and easy to talk to. You have strong communication skills and are able to interact efficiently in interdisciplinary contexts and with people from different fields.
• An enthusiastic outside-the-box thinker and early adapter. You enjoy challenges and learning new things, and have a strong passion for science and research and development.
• Motivated and willing to take initiative in getting projects executed.
• An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term research needs.
• 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:

• Natural sciences withanimpact.VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we’ve invested into building state-of-the-art research facilities for natural sciences, such as the Bioruukki pilot infrastructure for bio- and circular economy. Our research agenda is dedicated to solving systemic and technological challenges, such as reaching carbon neutrality and unleashing the power of synthetic biology. That means that at VTT, your expertise in natural sciences will go towards creating real impact. Read more about our strategy – Chain reaction for growth .
• Superb colleagues and community. With VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2000 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. Collaborating 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.
• Excellent career in research. 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 over 10 years since there are always new roles and responsibilities to grow into. A combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects keepsyour career pathinteresting.
• 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), we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and other versatile services aiming to support your occupational wellbeing.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Mira Sulonen, [e-mail], [phone].

We look forward to hearing from you!

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.

VTT is a forerunner in research, development and innovation, and one of Europe’s leading research organisations. We develop cutting-edge technologies and transform them into growth together with our customers and partners. Our solutions address the greatest challenges of our time while creating sustainable growth, jobs and wellbeing.

With more than 80 years of experience, we accelerate the journey from innovation to impact. By thinkingbeyond the obvious, we drive growth, renewal and resilience.

VTT – beyond the obvious

Location: Tekniikantie 21, Espoo