[Job-offers-cs] Postdoctoral Researcher in XR & AI, VTT Tampere

[Pekka Orponen]

    About the job

*Are you passionate about shaping the future of XR and AI, and looking 
for a postdoctoral opportunity to deepen your expertise? Do you want to 
conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of immersive 
technologies and intelligent systems? VTT might be just the place for 
you. If you are an international talent searching for a new opportunity, 
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 2300 
brilliant minds from 60 different nationalities is focused on creating 
impact through science-based innovation. Get to know us further by 
exploring VTT's tech & infra .

*We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our Smart 
Immersive Industrial Solutions team for a fixed-term three-year contract 
in Tampere!

*VTT started a Postdoc programme in 2023 to develop new ways to support 
scientific excellence and to strengthen career paths from universities 
to VTT. We want to provide development opportunities for recent 
university PhDs in applied research and industry collaboration. As a 
Postdoctoral Researcher at VTT, you are able to make an impact on our 
customers and society. Our researchers work closely together with 
industry, often in interdisciplinary research groups. VTT has excellent 
research infrastructure and internal services to support your research work.

In this Postdoctoral Researcher position, you will play a key role in 
advancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including 
Large Language Models (LLMs) and Machine Learning (ML), into XR (AR/VR) 
environments. The goal is to develop intelligent digital twins that can 
support and accelerate the creation of immersive XR solutions. Your 
research will focus on backend intelligence—how AI can automate, 
simplify, and enhance the development of digital twins and XR environments.

You will explore how generative AI and LLMs can be used to:

  * Automate the generation of digital twin components and XR content.
  * Interpret domain knowledge and transform it into structured,
    interactive models.
  * Enable adaptive, intelligent behavior in digital twins.
  * Reduce the cost and complexity of creating and maintaining immersive
    environments.


Whether your interest lies in building AI-powered tools for XR 
development or designing AI applications that operate within XR 
environments, this position offers the opportunity to work on 
cutting-edge, unsolved challenges in a highly interdisciplinary setting.

Our Smart Immersive Industrial Solutions team contributes to innovation 
landscape by developing intelligent XR systems, human-robot interaction 
technologies, and AI-driven digital twins. We work at the intersection 
of AI, robotics, and immersive technologies. We develop smart immersive 
solutions that enhance and enable new forms of interaction in digital 
and physical environments. Our work supports VTT’s broader mission of 
solving global challenges through science and technology by enabling 
smarter, more sustainable, and more human-centric solutions.

Read more about our research:  
https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/spatial-computing-extended-reality

**Your responsibilities as a Postdoctoral Researcher:*

*

  * Conduct high-quality research on the integration of AI/LLMs/ML into
    XR and digital twin systems.
  * Develop prototypes and proof-of-concept tools using Unity, Python,
    and open-source AI frameworks.
  * Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners on
    applied research projects.
  * Publish research findings in high-impact journals and conferences.
  * Contribute to project proposals and funding applications.
  * Supervise or mentor junior researchers and interns.
  * Actively participate in knowledge dissemination and community
    engagement.
  * Explore commercialization opportunities for research outcomes.


**Who we are looking for:*

*

  * You have completed your doctoral degree (within the last 5 years) in
    computer science, AI, XR, or a closely related field. (Please
    include your list of publications in your application)
  * You have experience in XR development (preferably with Unity) or in
    fine-tuning LLMs and generative AI models.
  * You are proficient in Python and/or Unity and comfortable working
    with open-source tools (please include your GitHub in your application).
  * You have a strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and their
    practical applications.
  * You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and
    spoken.


**As a person, we hope that you are:*

*

  * A curious and creative thinker who enjoys exploring new technologies
    and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with AI and XR.
  * Comfortable working across disciplines, combining insights from
    computer science, design, AI, XR, robotics, and human factors to
    solve complex problems.
  * Passionate about making a real-world impact through applied research
    and innovation.
  * Self-driven and proactive, capable of managing your own research
    agenda while contributing to shared project goals.
  * Resilient and solution-oriented, able to navigate ambiguity and
    technical challenges with a positive mindset.
  * An open-minded and innovative person with a vision of longer-term
    research needs and willing to learn more about project proposals and
    applying for funding.
  * You are eager to work with new topics and methods, even out of your
    comfort zone to achieve the set ambitious goals.


**With VTT, you’ll  enjoy:*

*

  * Science with  an  impact.  At VTT, we seek to solve large societal
    challenges and drive a sustainable future through  applied research 
    and innovation. With us, you’ll get to work on  research  projects
    that  make a  concrete, positive impact in the world. 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.
  * Support for your postdoc research. During your postdoctoral term, we
    offer training in project management, scientific writing,
    communication, and commercialisation. You’ll have the opportunity
    collaborate with industry on projects, access our research
    infrastructure and internal support services, explore
    interdisciplinary research, and secure funding for your postdoc
    term. At VTT, you’ll enjoy flexibility and independence in your
    work, with a blend of academic research and engaging customer
    projects for an exciting career path.
  * Open culture of innovation.  We have over 80 years of experience in
    science-based innovation, a strong international reputation  and
    global networks. We work truly across disciplines, and house all the
    cutting-edge sciences from quantum computing to synthetic biology
    under one roof. At VTT, you’ll join a community of over 2200 
    multidisciplinary  experts who foster a culture of trust, openness
    and sharing knowledge. Collaborating  with amazing colleagues is a
    source of learning, inspiration, and fun.
  * 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. On top of 6 weeks of paid
    holidays annually (after one year of work), 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 in Finland and VTT’s support for
    relocation.


**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 31**st**of August 2025.*We will 
process applications as they come in, and fill in 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, Nikhil 
Pratap Pachhandara, nikhil.pachhandara at vtt.fi , +358 40 835 0441 on 6th 
August, 2025 14:00 – 15:00 or 12th August, 2025 15:00 – 16:00.

**We look forward to hearing from you!

**This postdoc position is part of Postdoctoral Programme for Research 
Institutes. The Programme has been granted 40 million euros in funding 
based on the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development 
(R&D) funding plan. This funding enables recruitment of 85 PhD-level 
experts to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 
2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas 
important to society and business . Postdoctoral researcher will conduct 
goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic 
community, industry and administration. The Programme supports 
postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.

*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 in cutting-edge research and 
science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and 
business come together.

VTT – beyond the obvious.

Location: Visiokatu 4, Tampere

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