AdresseAre you interested in developing Computational biology solutions for industrial biotechnology applications? Would you like to do impactful research in the cutting edge of natural sciences 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 2000 brilliant minds 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 now looking for Computational biology expert specialized inmetabolic modelling
You use computational modelling and data science approaches for developing strategies to improve the performance of microbes for sustainable industrial biotechnology and food applications.
Our Bioanalytics and biological data science team combines data-driven and mechanistic modelling with automated experimental platforms and advanced bioanalytics to provide solutions to biological questions. Together with other research teams in VTT’s industrial biotechnology and food research, we are developing bioinspired processes and products paving a way for circular economy.
Our Metabolic Modeller:
- uses metabolic modelling tools to identify the potential of and evaluate the feasibility of industrial-scale production of microbial compounds.
- develops metabolic models and implements other computational strategies for strain improvement.
- develops a solid understanding of microbial physiology including a quantitative, systems-level view on metabolic fluxes, mass and redox balances in cells during the cultivation processes.
- contributes to writing proposals for public funding
- contributes to both academic and industrial customer research and development projects.
Who we are looking for:
- You have a M.Sc. or a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Computational biology, applied mathematics, or a field related to biotechnology.
- You are well acquainted with linear programming and combinatorial optimization such as MILP.
- You have programming skills in Python or similar
- You have prior experience with metabolic modelling with ecModels (GECKO, MOMENT) and constraint-based metabolic modelling tools such as COBRA
- You have prior experience with or interest in microbial physiology.
- You can communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing.
- It’s an advantage if you also have experience in the following areas:
- prediction of heterologous metabolic pathways (e.g., RetroPath)
- biothermodynamics and/or thermodynamics of aqueous solutions
- machine learning
- bioinformatics
As a person, we hope that you are:
- Approachable and easy to talk to. You have strong communication skills and are able to efficiently interact in interdisciplinary contexts and with people from different fields.
- You have a knack for identifying business opportunities and enjoy getting a better understanding of the customer's needs.
- An enthusiastic outside-the-box thinker. You enjoy challenges and learning new things, and have a strong passion for science and research and development.
- Motivated and willing to take initiative in getting projects executed
- We appreciate the ability to tolerate pressure and maintain good work-life balance
With VTT, you’ll enjoy:
- Natural sciences with an impact. VTT works on the cutting-edge of natural sciences, and we've invested in 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 a real impact. Read more about our strategy – the path of exponential hope.
- 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 of knowledge. We work 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 for over ten 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 excellent team spirit and leadership and offer versatile well-being services to enable a good work-life balance. On top of 6 weeks of paid holidays, we offer exercise and culture benefits, hobby clubs, and voluntary well-being services such as meditation and cognitive ergonomics training.
Apply now and join our community of brilliant minds!
Please send your CV and answer to the preliminary screening questions with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 18th of January 2024. We will make our first screening anonymously based on the answers you have provided to the open questions and 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 know more?
For further information, please contact Research Team Leader Heli Nygren, heli.nygren@vtt.fi, +358407516999.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Apply between 22 December 2023 and 18 January 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)
Employment type: Full-time, Permanent
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.
