VTT
Senior Project Manager/Scientist, Carbon-efficient industry
VTTFinland1 day ago
Full-timeProject Management, Information Technology
Are you interested in research project management in industrial decarbonisation and looking for a new job opportunity in the field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of academy and industry? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in the 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 time and turn them into sustainable growth and well-being. Our cross-disciplinary community of over 2400 brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities focuses on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra .

We are now looking for Senior Project Manager or Senior Scientist to join our Carbon-efficient industry team.

As a Senior Project Manager/Scientist, you have a role in leading large research and R&D projects end-to-end within industrial domains such as energy, process and chemical industries – and driving selected technology themes forward as a subject matter expert. In this position, you will have the opportunity to combine strong project leadership with technical insight, steer complex, multi-partner projects from preparation to successful completion, strengthen customer relationships, and contribute to VTT’s impact through excellent project execution and stakeholder collaboration. This role is an excellent fit, e.g., for professionals with industrial experience who want to apply their expertise in a research-driven environment and influence the development of future technologies.

Our team works in VTT’s Energy research area. We provide cost-efficient solutions to carbon carbon-intensive process industry and energy sector via electrification, carbon capture & utilisation and clean hydrogen technologies. Our team currently holds 19 professionals located in Jyväskylä, Tampere, Espoo and Oulu.

As Senior Project Manager/Scientist, you will:

  • Lead demanding R&D projects from initiation to closure, ensuring scope, schedule, quality and profitability – with a focus on industrial-type projects and collaboration with industry partners.
  • Prepare and lead project and funding proposals (e.g., customer, national, EU), including planning and negotiations, often in cooperation with industrial stakeholders.
  • Have an opportunity to act as R&D focused technology owner and drive our solutions forward by contributing to the development of technologies in your area of expertise.
  • Define clear objectives, work plans, resource allocation and performance across the project team.
  • Manage customer and stakeholder communication, ensuring transparency and satisfaction.
  • Facilitate effective collaboration between project teams, research units and external partners.
  • Foster a results- and impact-oriented project culture with clear responsibilities and decisions.
  • Identify new needs and collaboration opportunities arising from ongoing projects


Who we are looking for:

  • Proven track record in leading large and demanding projects (e.g., IPMA-C or equivalent, or extensive experience) in academic or industrial settings.
  • Master’s or PhD degree in a relevant field such as process technology, chemical engineering, energy systems or industrial management. A strong technical background combined with project management expertise is highly valued.
  • Strong skills in project preparation and funding proposals.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to manage both the big picture and details; strong resource and change management.
  • Decisive, structured leadership of project teams without formal line responsibility.
  • Research-oriented mindset and customer-oriented approach.
  • Spoken and written English language skills – Finnish language skills are considered an advantage


As a person, we hope that you are:

A research-oriented and analytically strong project leader who communicates clearly, makes timely decisions and keeps complex projects on track. You collaborate smoothly across disciplines, are comfortable with ambiguity, and maintain a customer- and impact-focused approach. You’re proactive, structured and resilient – able to navigate demanding situations and guide teams to success.

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

  • Visionary work in technology. We offer positions at the cutting-edge of technology and engineering, from next-generation microelectronics and quantum technology to automation and robotics, energy systems, and more. Our research agenda is dedicated to creating sustainable growth by solving systemic and technological challenges, so your work will go towards creating a real, positive impact. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope .
  • Fascinating projects, excellent research environment. Our researchers get to work on a combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal.
  • Great career opportunities, superb colleagues. 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. Collaborating in a cross-disciplinary community 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.
  • 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.


Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Please send your CV and application with your salary request via our recruitment system at the latest by 21 January 2026. We will process applications already during the application period, so apply as soon as possible. A security clearance procedure will be conducted during the recruitment process.

Interested and want to know more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Janne Kärki, janne.karki(at)vtt.fi, tel. +358 20 7222 549 on 13 January at 9:30–12:00 or 19 January at 9:30–12:00 (Finnish time UTC+2).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Espoo or Jyväskylä, Finland

VTT

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.

Key Skills

Ranked by relevance
Apply