Assistant Professor in computational glass science (2023-224-05284)

An Assistant Professor position is available in the area of computational glass science. 2022 was the United Nations International Year of Glass, where we celebrated the essential role that glass plays in society. However, the brittleness and low fracture toughness of oxide glass materials remains to be their main disadvantage. This Assistant Professor position builds upon related work in our group to identify and quantify structural descriptors and characterize mechanical properties experimentally.

The prospective Assistant Professor will be responsible for using these structural descriptors to computationally design new oxide glasses with improved fracture toughness. This will include development of machine learning potentials for molecular dynamics simulations and, based on these, fracture simulations of oxide glasses with varying compositions. Physics-informed machine learning tools(such as Gaussian process regression and Bayesian optimization) will then need to be developed to predict the composition dependence of fracture toughness.

The Assistant Professor position is part of the European Research Council(ERC) project“NewGLASS- New Horizons in Glass Structure Prediction and Mechanics”, which is headed by Professor Morten M. Smedskjær. The project aims to accelerate the design of new glasses by using various computational methods and processing techniques to tailor their atomic and microscopic structure and thus control the mechanical properties. The prospective Assistant Professor will therefore collaborate with Postdocs and Ph.D. students working on this project.

The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. degree in materials, chemistry, physics, or a closely related field. The applicant must be interested in working in an interdisciplinary research environment. Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. Documented experience within at least two of the following fields is also a requirement: structure of glasses, mechanical properties of glasses, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning applications in materials science.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength, which is reflected in the host laboratory.

You may obtain further information about the scientific aspects of the project from Professor Morten M. Smedskjær,+45 9940 3578,[email protected]

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research solves important topics for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates and PhDs.

At the department, we have high-profile research groups and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic scientific research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department is divided into two sections: Section for Bioscience and Engineering and Section for Chemical Science and Engineering, as well as one administration. Both sections have activities on both Aalborg and Esbjerg campuses. The day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the deputy heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders.

We are a dynamic workplace with high professionalism and efficiency, a good working environment and with a focus on work-life balance. We strive for a culture with collaboration that promotes openness and curiosity towards new initiatives and ideas and with a constructive approach to problem solving. As an employee at the department, you will be part of an international research environment, with a focus on innovation, knowledge sharing and excellency as well as interdisciplinary collaborations.

Qualification requirements:
Appointment as an Assistant Professor presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.

Appointment as an Assistant Professor cannot exceed a period of four years in total in a temporary position(appointment at Assistant Professor level cannot exceed a period of eight years in total in Denmark).

The application must contain the following: 

• A statement outlining your reasons for applying, and intentions and visions with, the position.
• Your curriculum vitae, including personal data, educational background, scientific qualifications, dissemination skills, participation in committees and boards, and additional qualifications relevant for the position.
• Copies of relevant diplomas(Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• A complete list of publications.
• Publications you wish to be considered by the assessment committee. You may attach up to 5 publications.
• A specification of your teaching qualifications relative to the teaching portfolio. If this is not enclosed you must include an explanation for its absence.
• References/recommendations.

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force, teaching portfolio and procedures can be seenhere   

Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities(the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.