Postdoctoral Researcher, Bioprocess Modelling and Automation Tools

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 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 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 top