Work Takes You Across Finland and Around the World

Hannele Hallett works as a Research Assistant in GTK’s Water and Mining Environment Solutions unit. Trained as an environmental ecologist, she joined GTK in January 2021 and has since taken on a variety of roles at different GTK locations.

Hannele is a certified sampler specializing in water sampling and field measurements.

“My role is very diverse, covering everything from planning sampling campaigns and carrying out fieldwork to preparing reports. I am also a drone pilot, conducting sampling, aerial imaging, and various surveys from the air.”

Although most of her work takes place in mining environments across Finland, Hannele also contributes to international projects.

“My work has taken me to places such as Nepal and Kyrgyzstan. These trips have been extremely rewarding, allowing me to develop professionally while also seeing different parts of the world.”

Maintaining and developing field equipment is an important part of Hannele’s work. She has been involved in building a mobile equipment management system for GTK, enabling employees to view available equipment, make reservations, and manage maintenance schedules.

“The equipment registry enables real-time management of our field equipment, making it much easier to plan and carry out fieldwork,” Hannele explains.

One of the things Hannele values most about her job is its variety and the opportunity to continuously learn new skills. During quieter months, such as December and January, she spends more time on office-based tasks, while the summer season is largely dedicated to fieldwork.

“Being out in the field is the best part of my job. It allows me to combine two things I really enjoy: science and working outdoors,” she says.

“No two days in the field are ever the same, and new challenges arise all the time. Sometimes I get to be a real inventor, coming up with creative solutions on the spot, and that’s what makes the work so much fun.”

Looking ahead, Hannele hopes to continue working in diverse field assignments while further developing drone-related technologies. She is also interested in GTK’s project management development path.

“It’s great that research assistants also have opportunities to broaden their expertise and progress into roles such as Project Manager,” Hannele says.

After taking parental leave, Hannele returned to work in August 2026, excited to take on new challenges and continue developing her career at GTK.