Mikko Mäkelä

This postdoctoral position at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is part of the Rise to Challenge project Q-GEN: Quantum computing applications for future genomes and biomaterials . The project sits at the intersection of machine learning, cheminformatics, physics-based simulation, and quantum computing, with a specific focus on developing a data-driven screening workflow for biomaterial design. The successful researcher will work on predicting how chemical modifications affect the properties of wood-based biopolymers. The workflow combines molecular representations, machine learning, experimental data, and supercomputer simulations to build classical baselines that can be compared with emerging quantum-computing approaches. The research is aimed at identifying promising material combinations before experiments begin, supporting the development of new biomass-based materials for the bioeconomy. The role is embedded in VTT’s Bioinspired materials team, which develops novel biomass-based materials and applications beyond the traditional pulp and paper industry. The project is interdisciplinary by design: the postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with experts from chemistry, mathematics, physics, quantum computing, genomics, synthetic biology, foresight, and ethics across partner organisations. The position offers a setting that combines applied research, scientific modelling, and close interaction with experimental researchers, with work intended to support future quantum-computing applications in materials discovery. VTT describes itself as a leading applied research organisation in Europe, with a cross-disciplinary community and state-of-the-art research facilities including Micronova. The position is presented in a research environment that blends academic-style publication work with applied innovation and collaboration with external partners.