Senior / Research Scientist, Multi-Scale Materials Modelling

Karlstad University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks' paid holidays

Well-being services

Exercise and culture benefits

Job summary

VTT in Finland is seeking a Senior / Research Scientist in Multi-Scale Materials Modelling to develop integrated computational frameworks linking microstructure evolution, crystal plasticity and damage across length scales. You will combine modelling with experimental data to support sustainable material design in manufacturing and structural integrity applications.

The role offers opportunities to lead work packages, contribute to proposals, and collaborate with an international team within the

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field required.
• Strong background in computational materials modelling.
• Experience linking microstructure, deformation and damage across scales.
• Good programming and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply multi-scale computational frameworks across length scales.
• Integrate modelling with experimental data (EBSD, mechanical testing).
• Collaborate with experimental teams for model validation.
• Lead proposals and help coordinate funding.
• Publish scientific results and present findings.

Skills

Multiscale modelling

Crystal plasticity

Damage mechanics

Python

C++

Fortran

English fluency

Education

MSc or PhD in Materials/MSE or related

Tools

EBSD

Mechanical testing

Job description

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Senior / Research Scientist, Multi-Scale Materials Modelling

Are you interested in multi-scale materials modelling and looking for a new research opportunity? Would you like to develop modelling approaches that help industry understand and predict metallic material integrity, microstructure evolution, plasticity and damage across length scales? Do you enjoy combining scientific thinking with hands‑on development – including building computational frameworks and integrating modelling with experimental data? 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 Senior Scientist / Research Scientist to join our ProperTune ICME team.

In this role, you will develop and apply integrated multi-scale computational frameworks to advance the understanding and prediction of metallic material integrity. The work focuses on linking microstructure evolution, crystal plasticity, damage mechanisms and process‑induced effects across length scales, and on combining computational modelling with experimental data to support sustainable material and process design in manufacturing and structural integrity applications. The role can be filled at either Senior Scientist or Research Scientist level, depending on your level of expertise.

Our team, ProperTune Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME), works on various aspects of computational materials research. As such, we contribute to VTT’s ProperTune concept for integrated computational materials engineering. Our aim is to bring digital materials design into the toolkit of industries both in Finland and globally and apply it to their critical components in mechanical machines and devices.

As a Senior / Research Scientist, you will contribute to a combination of the following areas, depending on your expertise and the needs of ongoing projects:

• Develop and apply multi-scale computational frameworks coupling microstructure evolution, crystal plasticity and damage mechanisms across length scales.
• Integrate computational modelling and experimental data (e.g. EBSD, mechanical testing and other characterisation data) to establish robust digital microstructure–property relationships.
• Investigate the interplay between microstructural properties, process‑induced evolution and lifetime performance, including formability, fatigue and damage tolerance.
• Model the interaction between manufacturing processes (e.g. forming, machining) and microstructural evolution, providing predictive insight into phenomena such as residual stresses, dynamic recrystallisation (DRX), white‑layer formation and hardness.
• Develop cross‑scale analysis frameworks linking microscale descriptors to macroscopic performance and enabling digital microstructure design.
• Establish structure–property–performance relationships in metallic and ceramic components by combining deformation history and integrity information from experiments, characterisation and simulations with microscale analysis.
• Collaborate closely with experimental teams to ensure robust model validation and integration with state‑of‑the‑art characterisation techniques.
• Investigate hydrogen–materials interactions, with emphasis on hydrogen resistance, fatigue, formability and lifetime prediction of metallic components.
• Work in research and customer projects: plan tasks, execute simulations, analyse results and communicate findings clearly in reports, presentations and scientific articles.
• (Senior level) Actively lead and contribute to proposal writing and coordination of funding applications, including national and European research programmes, and support the strategic development of research projects.
• (Senior level) Lead work packages or projects, mentor colleagues and help shape the team’s method development roadmap and project portfolio.

To succeed in this role, you need:

• A MSc or PhD in a relevant field such as Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Physics, Computational Science, Applied Mathematics or another closely related discipline.
• Strong background in one or more of the following areas: computational materials modelling, multiscale modelling, crystal plasticity, damage mechanics, microstructure‑sensitive modelling or related fields.
• Experience in developing and applying computational frameworks that link microstructure, deformation and damage mechanisms across scales.
• Experience in integrating modelling and experimental data for validation and interpretation of material behaviour.
• Good understanding of metallic materials, their microstructural evolution and their mechanical integrity under demanding loading or processing conditions.
• Practical programming skills and interest in building maintainable modelling workflows and simulation tools (e.g. Python, C++, Fortran or similar; exact stack can be learned).
• Ability to analyse complex phenomena, work systematically and communicate results to different audiences.
• Fluent in English, with Finnish skills considered a strong advantage (as some projects require Finnish language skills).

Additionally, it’s great if you have:

• Experience with phase transformation effects (e.g. TRIP), fatigue, crack initiation and propagation, or environmentally assisted damage mechanisms.
• Experience in modelling process‑induced microstructure evolution and its impact on component performance and lifetime.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as forming or machining and associated integrity‑related phenomena.
• Experience with hydrogen‑related degradation mechanisms in metallic materials.
• Experience in EU‑funded R&D projects or multi‑partner consortia.
• Familiarity with experimental techniques such as EBSD and mechanical testing, or close collaboration with experimental research teams.

The role can be filled at either Research Scientist or Senior Scientist level: as a Research Scientist, you work independently on modelling tasks, develop parts of multi‑scale frameworks, implement and validate solutions with appropriate guidance, and contribute to project and publication outputs, whereas as a Senior Scientist, you bring deeper expertise, lead significant research topics, take ownership of demanding project entities, actively contribute to funding applications and help expand the scope and impact of our research activities.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• Curious and eager to deepen your understanding of complex material behaviour across scales.
• Systematic and analytical in how you approach scientific problems and structure your work.
• Collaborative and able to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and research partners.
• Persistent in developing and validating models for demanding integrity, damage and process‑related phenomena.
• Motivated to create impact through research that supports sustainable manufacturing and long‑term structural integrity.

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

• Natural sciences withanimpact. VTT works on the cutting‑edge of natural sciences, and we've invested in 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 a 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 of knowledge. We work 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 for over ten years since there are always new roles and responsibilities to grow into. A combination of cutting‑edge academic research and applied customer projects keeps your career path interesting.
• 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 other versatile services aiming to support your occupational wellbeing.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 4 September 2026 and 20 September 2026 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent

VTT

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

Job details

Title

Senior / Research Scientist, Multi-Scale Materials Modelling

2026-09-20 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)
2026-09-20 22:59 (CET)

Closing on: 2026-09-20 (Europe/Helsinki)

VTT's task is to advance the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in commerce and society.