Professor in Energy Materials (2022-224-04506)

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University (AAU), a full professor position in energy materials is available from April 1st, 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Department of Materials and Production is currently strengthening its research and teaching activities within materials science and hereby invites applicants with a strong and independent research profile at the forefront of advanced synthesis and characterization of materials. Department of Materials and Production (MP) has a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding, materials' applications in mechanical constructions, industrial production and management. The department has several strong, international and innovative research groups which comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applicable research. The activities encompass research as well as education within materials, mechanics, physics, production technique, and industrial management and innovation. Of them, exoskeleton is one of the strategic research areas that benefit the industry and society through interdisciplinary co-operations and the state-of-the-art technologies.  Thereby, as an employee at the Department you will become a part of an international research environment, where focus is on innovation, knowledge sharing/building and interdisciplinary collaborations.

This is a full-time permanent position that includes research, teaching and research management. It is important that the applicant is eager to contribute to the development of the department and takes part in the daily activities, including both teaching and supervision. The position is affiliated with the research group in physics, which works with fundamental and applied research in solid state physics, materials and optics.

We are seeking a materials scientist that can build an innovative research program within areas of e.g energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, etc.) and generation (advanced solar energy systems, energy harvesting from surroundings, etc.), new power semiconductors and packaging. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate closely with research groups in basic materials physics and materials engineering, and with groups in energy technology working from component to system level.

The Department’s activities are supported by world-class laboratories (https://www.mp.aau.dk/laboratories/nanolab/ ). Facilities for synthesis and characterization of materials cover the range from the atomic scale in the cleanroom and materials labs to fabrication of components and devices.

The successful candidate must be an outstanding scientist who has already had significant international impact on research and who has demonstrated the vision and creativity to define an independent research program with a high impact. The successful candidate has the scientific maturity to establish an independent research group and is expected to have strong international collaborative ties. Experience with leading and coordinating internationally recognized research activities is a further advantage.

The candidate must have a demonstrated record of extensive and dedicated teaching, including positive student and/or mentor evaluations, reflections upon own teaching practice, and a well-founded experience with independent curriculum development. At Aalborg University, our philosophy of teaching is the world-renowned Aalborg model of problem-based learning (PBL). Documented experience with this learning approach is therefore considered an advantage but is not a prerequisite.

The candidate must have leadership and management skills of young people and a solid experience with supervision at all academic levels (from Bachelor students to postdocs).

Prime duties. The successful candidate is expected to:

• Build up and maintain an excellent research environment in energy materials
• Actively engage in student recruitment in general to strengthen materials science and engineering
• Teach undergraduate and graduate students, primarily in physics
• Handle management of researchers and students with different research and cultural backgrounds
• Motivate and develop the full potential of young researchers
• Contribute in a positive and constructive manner to the overall activities of the Department of Materials and Production
• Raise third-party funding

The following criteria are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates: research, teaching, scientific impact, outreach, organizational contribution, leadership, external funding, independence, creativity and collaborative skills. 

You may obtain further professional information from Head of Department Jens Christian Rauhe by mail [email protected].

Qualification requirements:
The suitable applicant can demonstrate a documented high level of original scientific production at an international level, including proven further development of the research area in question. An assessment of the candidate’s undertaking of research management and/or other possible management functions will also be taken into account. In addition the applicant is expected to have the qualifications required for undertaking teaching responsibilities. Special contributions to and development of educational and teaching related areas will be considered in the overall assessment. 

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 10 publications.
• Teaching qualifications described in the teaching portfolio.  If this is not enclosed the applicant must include an explanation for its absence.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position.
• References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

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

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.

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

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Mathilde Vestergaard HR-Servicecentre EST by mail [email protected].

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

Appointment and salary acc. to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of professional Associations (AC) on Academics in the State. Employment as Professor is in accordance with a classified position on scale 37. In addition, a pensionable increment will be given. 

2022-224-04506

25/10/2022