Principal/Senior Scientist, Corrosion and Electrochemistry

Are you an experienced expert in corrosion and electrochemistry and interested in applying your expertise to nuclear energy and other demanding material environments? Would you like to lead high-impact research and development together with leading industrial and academic partners? Are you motivated by solving challenging materials degradation problems, developing new research directions and turning scientific expertise into practical solutions for customers? VTT might be just the place for you.

If you are considering relocating to Finland for this opportunity, you can 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 looking for an experienced Principal/Senior Scientist in Corrosion and Electrochemistry to strengthen our nuclear materials research team.

In this role, you will take a leading role in research and customer projects related to corrosion, electrochemistry, nuclear water chemistry and material performance in demanding environments. Depending on your background and interests, you will also have the opportunity to develop new activities in areas such as advanced reactor and SMR coolant environments, corrosion monitoring and diagnostics, coatings and corrosion mitigation, and digital or predictive methods. The role includes technical leadership, project and proposal development, customer collaboration, and mentoring of other researchers.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of energy technologies by addressing critical materials challenges related to advanced nuclear systems and SMRs. The position provides significant autonomy in your work, the opportunity to contribute to impactful research within your area of expertise, and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities at VTT's Centre for Nuclear Safety.

Here are some examples of our team’s work: 

A state-of-the-art review of R&D for the supercritical water-cooled reactor technology. Part II materials & chemistry - ScienceDirect

Decomposition products of oxygen scavengers and their effect on corrosion of steam generator materials – I. Diethyl-hydroxylamine and carbohydrazide - ScienceDirect

Oxide Formation at the Sulfide Film‐Copper Interface in Anoxic Sulfide Solution and On‐Line Sulfide Detection Via Linear Polarization Resistance - Arstila - 2026 - Materials and Corrosion - Wiley Online Library

Unexpected low temperature crack propagation in nuclear post-shutdown water chemistry of Alloy 52 with potential effects of hydrogen - ScienceDirect

Your responsibilities as a Principal/Senior Scientist: 

Lead and conduct research related to corrosion, electrochemistry and materials degradation, particularly in nuclear energy and other demanding environments.

Develop and apply experimental approaches for studying corrosion and electrochemical phenomena, including high-temperature and water-chemistry environments.

Take technical responsibility for research and customer projects and contribute to the successful delivery of large national and international projects.

Build new research projects and funding proposals together with VTT colleagues, industrial customers and academic partners.

Develop customer relationships and identify opportunities where VTT's corrosion and electrochemistry expertise can create value.

Publish and disseminate high-quality research results and represent VTT in relevant scientific, industrial and international networks.

Contribute to the development of our research capabilities and longer-term research direction in corrosion and electrochemistry.

Support and mentor researchers and contribute to systematic knowledge sharing within the team.

Who we are looking for:

You have a doctoral degree in materials science, electrochemistry, corrosion science, chemistry, nuclear engineering or another relevant field.

You have strong scientific and practical expertise in corrosion, electrochemistry and materials degradation.

You have experience with experimental corrosion or electrochemical research. Experience with high-temperature water chemistry, autoclave testing or nuclear reactor environments is particularly valuable.

You have an established international network in corrosion, electrochemistry, nuclear materials or related research areas, and experience in building collaborations with universities, research organisations and/or industry.

You have a strong track record of research and development demonstrated through scientific publications, industrial R&D, patents, or other relevant achievements.

You have experience in leading research activities or technically demanding projects and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

You have experience in preparing research proposals, developing new project ideas or acquiring externally funded research.

You are comfortable working with industrial customers and research partners and communicating complex technical topics to different audiences.

You have excellent written and spoken English skills.

Experience in one or several of the following areas would be considered an advantage: nuclear water chemistry and plant operating environments; corrosion monitoring and electrochemical sensors; coatings and corrosion mitigation; advanced reactor and SMR coolant environments; predictive or digital corrosion methods; or intellectual property and technology development.

As a person, we hope that you are:

A curious and scientifically ambitious expert who enjoys solving complex materials and electrochemical problems.

Someone who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to see the larger research and business context.

Proactive in developing new ideas, collaborations and research opportunities rather than only executing predefined projects.

Collaborative and comfortable working with researchers, customers and partners from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Willing to share your expertise, mentor less experienced colleagues and help develop the capabilities of the wider team.

Safety-minded and systematic in experimental work and comfortable working in demanding research environments.

Open-minded and willing to explore new technologies and approaches when they can provide better solutions.  

With VTT, you’ll enjoy:

Natural sciences with an impact.  VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we’ve invested into building state-of-the-art research facilities for natural sciences, such as the Bioruukki pilot infrastructure for bio- and circular economy. Our research agenda is dedicated to solving systemic and technological challenges, such as reaching carbon neutrality and unleashing the power of synthetic biology. That means that at VTT, your expertise in natural sciences will go towards creating real impact. Read more about our strategy – Chain reaction for growth .

Superb colleagues and community. With VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2000 multidisciplinary experts who foster a culture of trust, openness and sharing knowledge. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology under one roof. Collaborating 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.  

Excellent career in research. 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. A combination of cutting-edge academic research and applied customer projects keeps your career path interesting.

Support for your well-being. Our people are our main asset, so we take good care of them. We aim to nurture great team spirit and leadership and offer versatile well-being services to enable a good work–life balance. On top of annual 6 weeks of paid holidays (after one year), we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and other versatile services aiming to support your occupational wellbeing.     

Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!

Please send your CV and application via our recruitment system as soon as possible but  at the latest by 30 September 2026 . We will process applications as they come in and fill the position as soon as we find the right candidate. A security clearance procedure may be conducted during the recruitment process.

Interested and want to hear more?

For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Mikko Vepsäläinen on 17.9. at 9-11 (Finnish time) or 23.9 at 13-15 (Finnish time).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply between 8 September 2026 and 30 September 2026 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki) Employment type: Full-time, Permanent VTT

VTT is a forerunner in research, development and innovation, and one of Europe’s leading research organisations. We develop cutting-edge technologies and transform them into growth together with our customers and partners. Our solutions address the greatest challenges of our time while creating sustainable growth, jobs and wellbeing. 

With more than 80 years of experience, we accelerate the journey from innovation to impact. By thinking beyond the obvious, we drive growth, renewal and resilience. 

VTT – beyond the obvious