Giant Leap Trainee, Photonics

Are you ready to take a Giant Leap? We’re looking for a Scientist Trainee for our Giant Leap program – a project-based internship in our HQ in Vantaa. In this project you will characterize optical and structural properties of black silicon, which has potential applications in chips used in infrared gas sensors. In addition, you will study feasibility of processing black Si in Vaisala’s own clean room. As a Giant Leaper, you will get your own project to lead for three months, starting in June.

Vaisala is a global leader in measurement instruments and intelligence helping industries, nations, people, and the planet to thrive. From predicting hurricanes to optimizing renewable energy production, our technology is used where it matters the most – from data centers, windfarms and laboratories to airports, the Arctic and even the surface of Mars. Our team of over 2,300 experts and 59 nationalities around the world is committed to taking every measure for the planet. Driven by our shared purpose, curiosity, and pioneering spirit, we stay ahead and make a difference. At Vaisala, you don't have to fit in to belong.

Giant Leap is a unique opportunity for you to be the project manager of your own project, with the support of your teammates and project supervisor. Every year, these projects are carefully selected by our leadership teams, meaning that you get to work on real-life questions that are important for us as a company.

We invest in your growth with training sessions throughout the summer. Along with lessons from your own field and work life in general, you have a chance to learn, for instance, presentation skills, project management and problem solving. Connections built with fellow Giant Leapers, Vaisala’s brilliant experts and our leadership form an invaluable network for your career. Many of our former Giant Leapers have also gone on to build impressive careers at Vaisala after the program.

What will your summer look like?

Join our Optical Sensor Chip Development team this summer to explore the fascinating world of nanostructured materials. Black silicon is a promising material for infrared technology, offering potential applications as antireflection coatings or absorber/emitter materials. Your project will focus on studying the optical and structural properties of black Si and assessing the feasibility of processing it in Vaisala’s cleanroom.

In practice, the work can be divided into following tasks:

• Conduct a literature review on black Si, with a focus on its infrared properties and manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate the feasibility of processing black Si in Vaisala’s cleanroom and process the first test batch of samples if a suitable process is identified.
• Characterize the infrared transmission and reflectance of black Si samples using FTIR, and analyze their structural properties using SEM.
• Document and report your findings, results, and suggestions for future improvements

You will be working in the Optical sensor chip development team consisting of about 10 scientists, engineers and clean room technicians supporting the project. The project supervisor will be team leader Ville-Markus Korpijärvi.

You will have a great chance to get hands-on experience of FTIR and SEM characterization and learn about infrared properties of semiconductor materials and get to know Vaisala’s clean room facilities.

The experimental work will be carried out in laboratories and cleanrooms in Vaisala’s headquarters at Vantaa. Literature research, data analysis and documentation will allow partial remote work.

What kind of skillset are we looking for?

• 3+ years of studies in science or engineering (preferably in physics, chemistry, electronics or another MEMS and photonics related discipline)
• Interest in experimental research, MEMS and photonics
• Ability or willingness to learn to work in cleanroom environment and to use characterization tools
• Skills in statistics, data analysis and programming are advantageous
• A hands-on attitude and willingness to learn are essential.

Are you ready to take on a Giant Leap?

Apply at the latest on February 2, 2025 and please attach your CV. We’d also appreciate learning about what made you apply for this position and to Vaisala in the form of a motivation letter.

Schedule and steps of the recruitment process:

• Application period: January 13 – February 2
• Invitations to the interview events: during week 6 (February 3 – February 7)
• Interview events at Vaisala, Vantaa (F2F): February 11 and February 13
• Selections and signing of the contracts: during week 8 (February 17–21) at the latest

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to the hiring manager and project supervisor Ville-Markus Korpijärvi via email first-name.lastname@vaisala.com. Please note that applications sent via email cannot be processed due to privacy reasons.

Kindly note that we are not able to provide support in relocation or work permit-related matters.