Giant Leap Trainee, Scientist Intern

Are you ready to take a Giant Leap? We’re looking for a Scientist Intern for our Giant Leap program – a project-based internship in our HQ in Vantaa. In this project: Concept of Testing Packaged Infrared Sources and Detectors in Production, you will design and develop a concept for a tester that enables functional testing of packaged infrared sources and detectors. The work includes validating the concept by demonstrating key measurements in the lab. 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. For a second year running, Vaisala got recognized in TIME Magazine's World's Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2026 study. Our team of close to 2,500 experts and 62 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?

Your summer at Vaisala will be hands‑on and full of learning. In this project, you will develop a concept for a tester that enables functional testing of packaged infrared sources and detectors. You will start by developing the concept and designing the tester, then move on to building and experimenting with optical and electronic lab setups.

The project is essential to ensure reliable testing and maintain high quality. By the end of the summer, we expect to have a validated concept. This means you will have designed the tester concept, built or simulated the key components of the setup, and successfully demonstrated that the primary measurements can be performed.

You will work with a team of sensor scientists and Research&Development engineers who are friendly, pioneering, curious, and committed. Your supervisor will be Research Scientist Panu Hiekkataipale. You will gain practical skills in optoelectronics, infrared sensing, and test system design, plus experience with hands‑on instrumentation, data analysis, and experiment planning. Occasional remote workdays are possible when tasks allow.

What kind of skillset are we looking for?

Requirements:

• Ongoing Master’s level studies in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.

Special skills:

• Good understanding of optics and electronics, with familiarity in infrared sensors, photonics, or optoelectronics is considered an advantage.
• Experience with Python or similar scripting and data analysis languages.
• Ability to work with optical and electronic lab instrumentation and interpret measurement data.

Work personality:

• Curious and eager to learn.
• Comfortable with conceptual thinking, hands-on work and data analysis.
• Collaborative and proactive.
• Problem-solving mindset and attention to detail.

Are you ready to take a Giant Leap?

Please apply by February 1, 2026, and include your CV.
We’d also love to hear what inspired you to apply for this role and to Vaisala in a brief cover letter.

Schedule and steps of the recruitment process:

• Application period: January 12 – February 1
• Invitations to the interview events: during week 6
• Interview events at Vaisala, Vantaa (F2F): week 7

If you want to know more, feel free to reach out to the hiring manager Ville-Markus Korpijärvi via email ville-markus.korpijarvi@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.

Interested in learning more about Vaisala and our Giant Leap program? Join us at Career Night on 20 January 2026, 16:30–19:00 at our Vantaa HQ to meet experts and explore real projects you could work on this summer. Read more and register to the event: www.vaisala.com/careernight