Research Professor, Connectivity

VTT is establishing a Professorship in the field of Connectivity. Are you looking for a meaningful job with the possibility to make an impact? Would you like to do groundbreaking research in the field of connectivity with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build a science career and work in a versatile role at the interface of academy and industry? 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 2300 brilliant minds from 59 different nationalities is focused on creating impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by exploring VTT's tech & infra. 

We're seeking for an innovative Research Professor to enhance and showcase VTT’s expertise in connectivity research. 

Secure connectivity forms the backbone of digital societies, ensuring reliable digital services, inclusive data access, and open innovation. The field of connectivity encompasses a broad range of technologies and disciplines that facilitate communication and data exchange across people, platforms, and devices. Future networks are complex systems, and AI will be needed to control the network to ensure energy efficiency, security, and performance.  

The demand for connectivity has been steadily growing alongside digitalization. We anticipate this trend will accelerate further with the expansion of new application areas and the increasing need for seamless connectivity between devices. Distributed computing, whether implemented at the edge or via cloud solutions, is progressively recognized as a fundamental aspect of network infrastructure. 6G is expected to build on top 5G, operating on higher frequencies, providing more bandwidth, and lower latency at microsecond speeds. This will enable more immersive technologies to operate in what feels like real-time. 

Networks are expected to co-operate better with each other in the future, and for example use of Wi-Fi and 6G in cooperation is expected to increase the resilience of the network. Open RAN might imply a change in the business model and enable more cloud-based approaches as the customer can use components from different vendors and is not locked to one vendor only. Satellite component of 6G, and NTN solutions will enable connectivity everywhere including rural broadband, global emergency services, environmental monitoring, and advanced navigation systems. There are also high hopes on using the network itself as a sensor, to enable joint communication and sensing. The effects of quantum technologies, such as quantum communications, also remains a fascinating area of exploration.  

As a Research Professor of Connectivity, you contribute to this dynamic and essential field by leading research efforts, coaching the next generation of experts, and collaborating with industry leaders to shape the future of digital communication. You will be able to bring theoretical findings of the research to practical use in the industry. You act as the glue that brings our connectivity teams to work together to solve strategic challenges. Research Professor is a thought leader that supervises and leads the direction of research excellence, guides dissertations, and takes an active role in obtaining and implementing research projects. 

Your role as a Research Professor:  

• Leading the development of VTT’s scientific excellence in the field of connectivity 
• Understanding the fast-changing operational environment and business landscape 
• Establish a clear research vision and roadmap within your area of responsibility to maximize impact on industry and society 
• Along with scientific results, identifying emerging technology developments and IPR for new business innovations 
• Mentoring, coaching, and sparring with the researchers at VTT (especially supervising PhD students and postdocs) and preparing high impact scientific publications 
• Secure funding through grants, partnerships and commercial opportunities
• Build strong networks with industry leaders and research institutions to drive applied research initiatives 

Your profile and experience:  

• A doctoral degree on relevant engineering field  
• In-depth scientific and practical knowledge and merits of the technologies and innovations in at least 3 of the following areas/topics: Telecom Network Architectures, 3GPP 5G/6G, Non-Terrestrial Networking (NTN), Software-Defined Networks, Cloud and Mobile Edge Computing, Telecom Algorithm Design, AI/ML Applicability in Telecom domain, Critical communications, Emerging network technologies, RF Measurements & Sensing (excl. hardware design)
• Strong international and national stakeholder networks in academia, industry, and society 
• Ability to develop publicly funded research initiatives in collaboration with external partners 
• Experience from commercial customer projects or work experience from the industry 
• Demonstrated thought leadership and subject matter mastery in media and/or in stakeholder events 
• Preparedness to travel within Finland and internationally 
• Interest and eligibility to participate in defence sector research and collaborate with NATO and Finnish Defence Forces)  

As a person, we hope that you are:  

• Curious and open-minded 
• Able to see the bigger picture and combine different competences for novel solutions 
• An inspiring and persistent leader with a vision and drive 
• Motivated to work in a customer-oriented, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural research organization 
• Active on international research arenas and networks  
• Excellent networker with good communication skills 
• Innovative and entrepreneurial, aiming to impact and identifying commercial opportunities from our research

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 solving systemic and technological challenges. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope.  
• Fascinating projects, excellent research environment. With us, you get to work on a combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects, both locally and internationally. At VTT, you’ll have state-of-the-art research facilities at your disposal, such as Micronova, the Finnish research infrastructure for micro-, nano- and quantum technologies.  
• 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 over 10 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. 
• Nordic work–life balance. Working in Finland, the happiest country in the world, enables a great quality of life. At VTT, we make our people’s well-being a strategic priority. We offer 6 weeks paid vacation a year, and our benefits include extended occupational healthcare, and a range well-being services, such as exercise and culture benefits and hobby clubs. Read more about the benefits of living and working in Finland as well as VTT's support for relocation of the new employees! 

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds! 

Application should consist of the following documents (in English): 

• A complete curriculum vitae, maximum of 10 pages 
• A cover letter indicating your motivation for the position 
• A complete list of publications (10 most significant publications marked) 
• Summary of research activities carried out so far (maximum two pages) 
• Your research vision as a research professor, maximum of two pages 

Please send your application and the documents above with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 13th of October. VTT uses international experts to evaluate the scientific relevance of the applicants to this topic. 

Interested and want to know more? 

For further information, please contact Vice President, Safe and connected society Ari Aalto, ari.aalto@vtt.fi, +358 504835261 either 20.9 at 8.00-9.00 or 7.10 at 15.00-17.00.(Finnish time, UCT+3). 

The position of the Research Professor is fixed term for five years with the possibility of a new five-year period and/or permanent position. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Apply between 20 September 2024 and 13 October 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, 5 year contract

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.