Senior / Principal Scientist, 6G-NTN

Are you interested in Satellites, 6G and Non-Terrestrial Networks? Would you like to develop innovative technology with superb colleagues who are top experts in their field? Do you want to build an excellent science career and work at the interface of academy and industry? Are you enthusiastic about working with fascinating projects in state-of-the-art research facilities? VTT might be just the place for you. The workplace is located either in Oulu or Espoo. 

VTT is one of the leading applied research organizations 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. Get to know us further by exploring VTT’s research infra at VTT World.   

We are now looking for a Senior / Principal Scientist to do research on beyond-5G/6G Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks.   

You will be working in the Future Radio Networks -team focusing on cutting-edge radio network technologies. The team develops smart and critical connectivity solutions in the areas of terrestrial and non-terrestrial (satellite, air-borne) radio networks, joint-radar communications, defense (e.g., Electronic warfare algorithms) and other safety critical systems. The current job will concentrate on research work with Non-Terrestrial Networks, where the main focus will be in future 6G-NTN research, for example 3D-network architectures, TN-NTN integration, TN/NTN spectrum co-existence and spectrum sharing, antenna solutions, constellation management, TN/NTN interworking (e.g. mobility and load sharing) and NTN aware protocol design. Additionally, future research topics include Free Space Optics and Inter-Satellite-Links.  

The team works in close collaboration with other teams in the VTT’s Safe and Connected Society research area. The connectivity work in the research area includes e.g. following areas:  emerging RAN architectures (O-RAN/Cloud-RAN), advanced AI/ML and Radio Resource Management -algorithms, Software Defined Networking and e2e QoS in 5G/beyond 5G networks among other items.  

You will be the top-level expert in non-terrestrial networks, particularly with 6G NTN-RAN. You will have a key role in project acquisition and planning as well as in managing relationships with main collaboration partners nationally and internationally. You will also work as a strategic actor in the NTN research leading the content of the work in VTT. You will also work actively with key customers and for creating new customer relationships in 6G and especially with NTN area.   

The position includes responsibilities with key role in technology strategy of the team and the Research Area including IPR generation/mentoring, writing scientific publications, preparation of new projects and project management in addition to mentoring and leading other scientists in technical topics. We provide interesting and challenging work in a dynamic research team and great career advancement opportunities. 

As a Senior / Principal Scientist you will:  

• Conduct research on, e.g., following areas: 3D-network architectures, TN-NTN integration, NTN based 6G positioning/timing, TN/NTN spectrum co-existence and spectrum sharing, antenna solutions, constellation management, TN/NTN interworking (e.g. mobility and load sharing) and NTN aware protocol design. Additionally, the future research topic will include Free Space Optics and Inter-Satellite-Links. 
• Guiding and supporting simulation/SW/HW platform development needed for NTN related research in VTT 
• Implementation and design of novel NTN communication links and protocols, and software defined payload solutions   
• Active participation of technology strategy work (e.g. VTT service roadmaps) 
• Project Manager role in large, national/international research projects (e.g. Business Finland, Horizon Europe, Celtic, ESA) 
• Active participation of project preparation by taking responsibility on the coordination, work-package lead, technical project preparation and project acquisition 
• Charge of key customer relationships and creating new customer relationship 
• Write and publish research papers or reports on the findings and outcomes.  
• Active role in patent generation  
• Directing and developing in the research work, supervision of thesis worker behalf of VTT (BSc, MSc, PhD) 

Who we are looking for:  

• Ph.D. degree in telecommunications or computer science and engineering.  
• Good publication score, evidence of track record in acquiring funding, working with international research networks as well as supervision of PhD students (VTT PhD School)​ 
• Experience on research with wireless network technologies, including, for example, 5G and 6G  
• Good understanding of 4G/5G architecture, protocols, and functionalities  
• Thought leader, media & presentation skills, ready to act as Voice of VTT as a subject matter expert 
• Interest and eligibility to participate in defense sector research (NATO, Finnish Defense Force). Finnish or at least EU or Norwegian citizenship. 
• Interest of creating commercial business 
• Experience on people leadership and management  
• Mandatory spoken and written fluency in English, fluency in Finnish is an advantage. 

Counted as an advantage, if you have: 

• Experience on writing IPRs and creating invention reports 
• Knowledge on 3GPP 5G-NTN and/or NTN technology research 
• Experience on working with standardization organizations e.g., 3GPP, ETSI, IEEE 

As a person, we hope that you are:  

• Problem-solver with analytical skills, and the ability to apply established or new research methods to solve complex problems.  
• Innovative and solutions-oriented team-player, being able to work independently as well.  
• Willing to learn new things.   
• Proactive and possess a self-driven mind-set.   

With VTT, you`ll enjoy:    

• Work with a strong purpose. At VTT, you’ll get to use your professional expertise to help solve the greatest challenges of our time through science and innovation. Our research agenda is dedicated to creating solutions for systemic and technological challenges, such as reaching carbon neutrality and creating superior digital systems. At VTT, you’ll get to do your part in driving this meaningful change through your professional skills. Read more about our strategy, the path of exponential hope, and our organisational culture as the builder of the world's most meaningful place to work.    
• An inspiring community. VTT houses all the cutting-edge fields of innovation, from quantum technology to synthetic biology, under one roof. You are working with an unique 5G/beyond5G test research network which is under continuous development. As a professional at VTT, you’ll witness and influence the future of science and technology as it happens.     
• Career and learning opportunities. As a scientific expert organisation, we emphasise learning and development and support our people in reaching their full potential. People stay at VTT for more than ten years, as we offer opportunities to develop and grow into new responsibilities. If you’re curious, ambitious, and willing to learn, VTT is the place to take your career to the next level.  At VTT you have a possibility to develop your professional skills in various different areas: IPRs, project management, management and leadership, sales and business development, EU funding to name a few. 
• 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 application with your salary request via our recruitment system as soon as possible but at the latest by 21st of May 2024. 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 Kari Heiska, Research Team Leader kari.heiska@vtt.fi, +358 40 774 2612 or Marko Höyhtyä, Research Professor marko.hoyhtya@vtt.fi, +358 20 7222050.  

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Apply between 7 May 2024 and 21 May 2024 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Employment type: Full-time, Permanent