Arja Paananen

I'm a Research Team Leader, leading a team called Enzyme and material biotechnology. My scientific background is in colloidal and interfacial chemistry, surface chemistry, and biointerfaces, with a strong focus on protein chemistry and surface characterization methods, including AFM and surface rheology. I have also experience of project management of jointly funded projects and contract research.

In my current role as a team leader my main task is to take care of team members, ie to coach them in the best possible way so that they can develop their skills and competences according to their own interests matching with VTT's strategy and to result in impactful research. My tasks also include securing funding to VTT together with our senior experts, and I'm also actively involved in research portfolio management, safety practices, and the development of effective research processes and collaboration within VTT.