Research Team Leader, Irradiated Materials

Are you a visionary science and technology leader with expertise in nuclear materials with hands-on experience? Would you like to lead an international team, shape an ambitious research agenda and create impact for industry and society through scientific excellence? 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 looking for a Research Team Leader to lead our Irradiated Materials team. We are looking for a Team leader with a coaching leadership style, excited about people development and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels invited to grow professionally. Besides people leadership, the role includes thought leadership and networking, as you will be responsible for creating new, impactful openings together with your 14 team members. You will combine visionary substance leadership, people leadership and hands-on contribution to research and customer projects. The Irradiated Materials team is part of VTT’s Nuclear Energy research area, a community of approximately 150 professionals. We help the industry and society to use nuclear energy safely and sustainably, and support industry renewal in new-build and plant life management projects. We advance decommissioning and radioactive waste management and development of new nuclear technologies. We also provide high-quality testing and analytical services. Our international team brings together engineers and scientists specialising in the testing, characterization, and performance assessment of irradiated materials for nuclear applications. Our expertise covers the handling and examination of neutron-irradiated materials, supported by advanced hot cell facilities and state-of-the-art analytical capabilities for radioactive specimen testing and evaluation. Read more: Nuclear energy services across the full lifecycle | VTT Research Your responsibilities include: Own and develop the team’s research agenda, ensuring its scientific ambition, strategic relevance and impact. Build and lead a balanced portfolio of research and customer projects, from opportunity identification and proposal preparation to high-quality delivery. Act as the line manager for the team: set objectives, coach performance, support well-being and foster an inclusive, collaborative working culture. Plan the team’s long-term competence development and resource needs, and recruit, retain and develop talented professionals. Represent the team’s expertise internally and externally and actively strengthen its scientific and industrial visibility, networking with top experts in the field. Participate hands-on as a subject-matter expert and, when appropriate, as a project manager in research and customer projects. Guide the planning and execution of experimental research together with researchers and laboratory personnel, with a strong focus on quality and safety. Lead the development of key methods, frameworks, tools, research infrastructure and competences with the team, other VTT experts and external partners. Build trusted customer and partner relationships, contribute to sales and international tendering, and communicate progress and results to stakeholders. Contribute as a member of the research area leadership team, combining competences across disciplines and fostering collaboration for wider impact. To succeed in this role, you should have: A Master’s degree in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical or nuclear engineering with demonstrated expertise in materials behaviour under irradiation and demanding service conditions; a doctoral degree or equivalent scientific merits are an advantage. Experience in materials testing and characterisation; experience with irradiated materials/hot cells is a major advantage. Relevant experience in research and development, engineering or customer projects, and the ability to translate scientific excellence into practical impact. Previous leadership experience, for example as a line manager, project manager, work-package leader or supervisor, together with a genuine motivation to lead people. Fluent spoken and written English. We consider the following an advantage: Expertise in the mechanical behaviour and strength of materials, preferably including fatigue, fracture mechanics, structural integrity or materials ageing. Experience in project management, research proposal preparation or international tendering. Experience