Scientific Project Manager, Photonics and Quantum Technology

VTT; Espoo; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

VTT in Espoo, Finland, invites an experienced Project Manager to lead large-scale commercial and R&D projects in quantum enabling technologies, including photonics and quantum sensing.

You will develop project plans, funding applications and R&D offers, engage with customers and partners, and network to raise visibility of VTT's quantum photonics capabilities. Collaboration with academia and industry is central to the role.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in physics, quantum, photonics, or related field with relevant coursework.
• Strong understanding of quantum technologies and photonic devices/systems.
• Experience leading at least one project proposal or commercial offer in quantum/photonics.
• Experience managing a research/development project with a team.
• Hands-on photonics tasks: design, simulation, chip/wafer processing, packaging or testing.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of technologies, applications, and partnerships in photonics and quantum tech.
• Manage projects, including public-funded or customer-driven initiatives.
• Prepare project plans, funding applications, and R&D offers with colleagues.
• Interact with present and potential customers via the sales team.
• Network internally and externally to raise visibility of photonics and quantum tech.
• Disseminate results through publications and presentations.
• Contribute to design, fabrication, assembly, packaging or testing of quantum/photonics work.

Skills

Project management

English proficiency

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in physics/quantum/photonic/electrical engineering

Tools

Job description

Are you interested in quantum technology or photonics project management 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 academy and industry using state-of-the-art research facilities? 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 timeand turn them into sustainable growth and well-being. Our cross-disciplinary community of over 2300 brilliant minds is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra .

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead large scale commercial and R&D projects in the field of Quantum enabling technologies

Our Quantum Photonics team provides photonics solutions for a variety of quantum technologies, including photonic quantum computers, superconducting quantum computers, quantum sensing, and quantum communication. Our focus is on quantum photonics integrated circuits (QPICs), where we develop key building blocks for quantum technologies. Such developments are made in close collaboration with our academic partners along the lines agreed with our industrial partners. The ultimate goal is to build critical QPIC building blocks for quantum technologies. As a Project Manager 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.

As a Project Manager, you will:

• Lead the development of specific technologies, applications and/or partnerships in photonics and quantum technology depending on your own expertise
• Lead projects, which may be either public-funded or customer projects
• Prepare projects plans, funding applications and contract R&D offers in collaboration with your colleagues
• Have direct contacts with present and potential customers with the support of your colleagues and VTT's sales organization
• Network within and outside VTT to improve the visibility of our photonics and quantum technology and to support the launch of new projects and partnerships
• Disseminate information about our results and offering via publications and presentations
• Contribute to the design, fabrication, assembly, packaging or testing of quantum and photonics, depending on your own skills and preferences

Who we are looking for:

• At least Master's degree in physics, quantum, photonics, electrical engineering or related field with dedicated courses that cover the theory, technology and applications of photonics
• At least basic understanding about the theory and technology of quantum technologies, photonic devices and systems.
• Experience from leading the preparation of at least one project proposal or commercial offer relating to quantum and photonics technology development
• Experience from leading at least one research, development or innovation project as a project manager with multiple people in the project team
• Hands-on experience in at least one of the following photonics research tasks: design, simulation, chip/wafer, processing, photonics assembly/packaging and optical measurements
• Experience from at least one relevant application area for quantum and photonics, such as quantum sensors, QKD, quantum computing based on photonics, neutral atoms or ion trap. Please note that experience from photovoltaics, illumination and machine vision applications doesn't qualify for this requirement, unless it involves PIC technology.
• Proficient in oral and written communication in English

As a person, we hope that you are:

• A fast learner who is capable of working in a flexible and independent manner, and collaborating with colleagues across different fields of science and technology. We appreciate curiosity, passion as well as the ability to take the long-term perspective and find beyond-the-obvious solutions.
• Able to work well in a multicultural team with English as the primary language at work.

VTT Location: Tietotie 3