Postdoctoral Researcher, Automated Fungal Strain Development, VTT – Espoo
14.8.2025Published: 1.8. | Application deadline: 31.8.2025
VTT is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join its Protein Production team for a fixed-term three-year position starting in January 2026. The team focuses on filamentous fungi, particularly Trichoderma reesei, for the production of sustainable food and material proteins, enzyme mixtures, and therapeutic proteins.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to digitalizing and automating fungal strain development, using data-driven approaches, machine learning, and high-throughput experimentation within the Design-Build-Test-Learn framework. The role aims to accelerate the creation of high-quality cell factories, particularly for non-model organisms where biofoundry pipelines are still under development.
Key responsibilities include:
- Laboratory research to develop pipelines for high-throughput creation and analysis of T. reesei protein production strains
- Developing and implementing automated methods, including AI-based analysis and predictive design, to screen high-performing fungal strains
- Designing, developing, and optimizing fungal chassis strains for traits such as increased secretion, reduced carbon catabolite repression, and lower proteolytic activity
- Establishing standards and metrics for biofoundry operations to translate small-scale data to larger-scale production
- Contributing to a collaborative and supportive team environment
- Disseminating research through publications and participating in public funding proposals
- Supervising or mentoring junior team members
Qualifications:
- PhD earned within the last five years in biotechnology, microbiology/biochemistry, biochemical engineering, or a related field
- Experience with high-throughput methods, automation, and relevant programming languages
- Knowledge of fungal biology, strain engineering, bioinformatics, or bioprocess engineering is an asset
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken
Desired attributes:
- Open-minded and innovative, with a long-term research vision
- Willing to explore new topics and methods to achieve ambitious goals
- Strong team player with a supportive approach
- Able to interact with academic, industrial, and interdisciplinary networks
- Independent and self-motivated, with a commitment to continuous learning
VTT offers:
- Research with societal impact, contributing to sustainable solutions
- Support for postdoctoral development, including project management, scientific writing, and collaboration with industry
- An open, interdisciplinary culture with international networks
- Excellent work-life balance, six weeks of paid holidays, occupational healthcare, and wellness benefits
Applications, including CV and salary request, should be submitted via VTT’s recruitment system by 31 August 2025. A security clearance will be conducted during the recruitment process.