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 over 75 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT´s turnover and other operating income is 258 M€. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together. www.vttresearch.com

VTT – beyond the obvious.

With us you will be responsible for development of enzymes and/or microbes which can degrade specific plastics. You will be part of VTT’s PlastBug team which aims to solve a plastic waste problem biotechnically. Our aim is to develop a plastic waste recycling system where microbes will degrade different plastics to wanted products. The team consists of experts from different areas including molecular biology, microbiology, plastic polymerisation, process design etc. More about us e.g. in the following news: Loimu 3/19 (pages 10-12). “Jätemuovista hyötymateriaaleja bakteerien avulla”. (https://www.loimu.fi/lehti/artikkelit/2019/3/Jatemuovista_hyotymateriaaleja_bakteerien_avulla) , Packaging inside 4.10.2018: “The plastic system is broken,” but science has the answers to fix it: VTT Research Center on the future of packaging (https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/science-holds-the-answers-to-addressing-plastic-waste-vtt-research-center-of-finland.html).

In your work you will screen and characterise novel plastic degrading enzymes, clone and overexpress genes encoding them and analyse what activities these expressed enzymes will have. You will also carry out genetic modification of microbes to enhance their plastic degradation capacity.

We expect you to have a background in biochemistry and/or molecular biology. You should have maximum three years from your doctoral thesis and you should have good English skills. Previous experience from enzyme discovery is a plus.

• well-organized, practical, hands-on
• open-minded, innovative, solutions-oriented, proactive
• a team-player with good collaboration and communication skills

At VTT, we believe that our impact is built on scientific and technological excellence in all our work. Our people is the core of the next generation VTT. Our personnel’s wellbeing and competence development are key priorities. You will be a part of a creative and international working environment. We offer versatile, independent and challenging tasks and the needed support and coaching.

As a Post Doc at VTT you have a great opportunity to challenge yourself and develop your knowledge together with VTT’s top experts. We encourage you to be curious and think outside the box and offer you the support to do so. With your Post Doc work you are personally solving one of the global environmental problem.
The Post Doc position is for 2 years and salary will be paid as a personal grant. The start date is negotiable.

For more information about the position, you can contact Kari Koivuranta (Principal Scientist) by email (kari.koivuranta@vtt.fi) or by tel +358 40 702 0954

Please send you application and CV as soon as possible, since we’re hiring as soon as we find the right candidate.