Senior Scientist, Quantum Algorithms and Applications

VTT; Espoo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VTT, a leading European applied research organisation, seeks a Senior Scientist to advance quantum algorithms and software, shaping the research roadmap and securing funding.

You will lead activities, foster collaborations with industry and academia, and mentor junior researchers while contributing to national and international projects and to VTT's quantum computing platform.

Qualifications

• PhD/MSc in physics, mathematics, computer science or related field.
• Postdoctoral or industrial R&D experience in quantum computing.
• Strong publication record with impact in quantum fields.
• Experience leading research activities, work packages or projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead research activities in quantum algorithms, applications, and software for quantum computing.
• Define and drive new research directions aligned with VTT's strategy.
• Contribute to project acquisition activities, including proposals and consortia.
• Build and maintain collaborations with industry, research orgs and funding agencies.
• Mentor and support junior researchers and scientists.
• Contribute as coordinator or task lead in national/international projects.

Skills

Quantum computing

Leadership

Research funding

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in physics, mathematics, computer science

Job description

Are you interested in quantum computing and looking for an exciting opportunity in the field? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in 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 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 to join our Quantum Algorithms and Software team and contribute to the strategic development of quantum computing research and applications within national and international projects.

As a Senior Scientist at VTT, you will combine scientific excellence with project leadership and business‑oriented research development. You will play a key role in shaping our research roadmap, developing collaborations with industrial and academic partners, acquiring competitive research funding, and driving high‑impact quantum computing research.

With a strong background in quantum computing, you will contribute to lead research activities related to quantum algorithms, quantum applications, quantum error correction, and software development for quantum computing platforms. You are expected to identify emerging opportunities, formulate new research directions, and guide team members towards ambitious scientific and technological goals.

You will contribute to the new UnloQ joint project (VTT, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä) which targets the most significant problems in quantum computing: device noise and sensitivity to disturbance, which complicate the identification of the technology's commercial value. Rather than waiting for hardware to mature, the project builds practical pathways for businesses to adopt quantum computing, developing noise‑tolerant methods, and industrial pilots.

You will be part of the team that develops quantum algorithms and operates VTT's superconducting quantum computers. VTT currently hosts a 53‑qubit quantum processor and, through a joint development program with IQM, is building a 150‑qubit superconducting quantum computer scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026, followed by a 300‑qubit system in 2027.

As a research team, we explore the performance and scalability of quantum algorithms on current‑generation hardware, develop and benchmark quantum error correction codes, design innovative error mitigation methods, build benchmarking and characterization protocols for quantum processors, and develop the software stack that powers VTT's quantum computing infrastructure.

Your responsibilities as a Senior Scientist:

• Lead research activities in quantum algorithms, quantum applications, and software development for quantum computing.
• Define and drive new research directions aligned with VTT's quantum computing strategy.
• Contribute to project acquisition activities, including proposal preparation and consortium building.
• Build and maintain collaborations with industrial partners, research organizations, and funding agencies.
• Mentor and support junior researchers and research scientists.
• Contribute to national and international projects – as a coordinator, work package or task leader, or project member.

Who we are looking for:

• You haveaM.Sc.or a Ph.D.in physics, mathematics,computerscience, or a closely related field.
• You have several years of postdoctoral or industrial R&D experience in quantum computing or a closely related area.
• You have a strong publication record and demonstrated scientific impact in quantum computing, quantum information, quantum algorithms, quantum software, or related fields.
• You have proven experience in leading research activities, work packages, or projects.
• You have experience in acquiring competitive research funding and participating in large collaborative projects is considered a strong advantage.
• You have seep understanding of quantum computing architectures, quantum algorithms, and current hardware limitations.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

As a person, we hope that you are:

• You have strong communication and collaboration skills. You are able to efficiently interact with your colleagues and with people from different fields.
• An enthusiastic outside-the-box thinker. You enjoy challenges and learning new things and have a strong passion for science and research and development.
• An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer‑term research needs.
• You are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your comfort zone, to achieve the set of ambitious goals.

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Francesco Cosco ( [e-mail] )

We look forward to hearing from you!

VTT Location: Tietotie 3