Are you all about science and technology? Would you like to develop your skills and use them to tackle the greatest challenges of our time? VTT might be just the place for you – apply now for VTT Summer of Changemakers 2026 traineeships! 

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 nearly 2400 brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Now, we are looking for passionate changemakers – you – to join us as summer trainees.

Our last summer's trainees rated their summer job experience at VTT 4.8/5 in our summer job survey. Below are some excerpts from their feedback when asked how they would describe VTT as a workplace:

"I was impressed by how much responsibility and freedom I was given. I was trusted to work independently, but support was always available when needed."

"VTT is a professional, inspiring, and forward-looking workplace where practical impact is evident. The work community is skilled and open to new ideas."

"I found VTT versatile, innovative, and inspiring."

Do you want to be our next Research Trainee in our Nanoelectronics team? Join us - and let’s make science work for hope next summer! 

As a Research Trainee in Nanoelectronics, you will address complex nanoscale fabrication and characterization challenges. Depending on the assigned role, you will work on 2D material–integrated photonics, thin-film transistors, or sensor development. You are expected to identify and solve problems independently and creatively, while collaborating closely and flexibly with a multidisciplinary team of experts. Your work will focus on the design, fabrication, and/or characterization of novel electrical components using standard semiconductor fabrication tools in Micronova cleanroom.

Our Nanoelectronics team develops advanced semiconductor nanocomponents focused on beyond-CMOS applications, including graphene photonics, CMOS-integrated graphene biodetectors, in-memory neuromorphic computing, and post-CMOS 3D integration. These developments are carried out in close collaboration with our academic partners, in alignment with our industrial partners. 

Please note this role requires working daily on-site in Espoo. 

What would your responsibilities include?

• Development of nanoscale electrical 2D/thin film components within your domain of expertise 
• Solving complex nanofabrication and characterization challenges 
• Communicating and solving those issues in tight collaboration with others at VTT 

Who we are looking for?

• You are enrolled in an MSc program in electronics, physics, or closely similar field 
• Eagerness for hands-on work in a laboratory environment 
• Basic knowledge of electronics and/or programming 
• Excellent communication skills in English 

As a person, you strive for excellent results but also prioritize and make pragmatic choices. You are focused and systematic. You contribute to a positive team spirit and prioritize the needs of the team high. You are hardworking but you also communicate, collaborate and delegate effectively. You are eager to work with new topics with open-minded and curious attitude. You can bring clarity over complexity and identify the essential bottlenecks. In addition, you have the ability and patience to tolerate uncertainty and unexpected outcomes.

What would we offer you?

• Impactful work for the future. As a leading applied research organisation, we are on a mission to bring exponential hope to the world by joining together people, businesses, science and technology. We tackle the biggest challenges of our time – from climate change and resource sufficiency to industrial renewal and smart healthcare – and turn them into sustainable growth. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope.
• Career opportunities, top-level mentors. At VTT, your skills are appreciated and supported with the opportunity to learn from the top experts in their field. You’ll get to discover our community of nearly 2400 experts representing 60 nationalities working across cutting-edge fields of science and technology.
• Meaningful projects, real responsibility. With us, you get to take on meaningful projects and create innovative scientific and technical solutions. We treat all employees as equals and give you real responsibility from the start. VTT is a caring employer that supports your growth and work–life balance and offers a range of well-being services.

What is like to work with us solving the biggest challenges of our time? Check from the video what kind of experiences Aymara, Daniil, Eric and Isabella had from their summer traineeships and what kind of change did they drive.

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Come, curious minds and clever changemakers! Prepare your CV and cover letter, and send in your application with your transcript of records via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 1 February 2026. Let’s change the world for the better next summer.

All VTT Summer of Changemakers traineeships are paid, and the salary is determined based on study credits: for Master's students the monthly salary is between 2650€ and 2850€, and for Bachelor's students the monthly salary is between 2150€ and 2450€. The typical duration of traineeships is between 3 and 6 months, with start dates usually falling between March and June, however the length and the exact starting date can be discussed with the hiring team. 

Please read more of VTT Summer of Changemakers from here: https://www.vttresearch.com/en/summer-changemakers

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Olli-Pekka Kilpi, e-mail: olli-pekka.kilpi@vtt.fi.

We will process applications as they come in, and fill in the position as soon as we find the right candidate. We will inform all applicants about the continuation of the process during February 2026. Most of the interview will be held in February-March, however they can be started already during the application period. 

We look forward to hearing from you!