Postdoc Positions in Organic Chemistry - Novo Nordisk Foundation Research CO2 Center Aarhus University, Denmark

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded €84.7 million to establish a world-leading interdisciplinary research center aimed at developing knowledge and technology for capturing and recycling carbon dioxide. The center is based at Aarhus University in Denmark and collaborates with industry and authorities to identify new solutions to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Research group

The electrochemical section, headed by Professor Kim Daasbjerg, is seeking candidates interested in pursuing postdoc positions at this new Carbon dioxide center.

Starting date and period

Two postdoc positions will be available from January 15, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Tasks

The successful candidate will be involved in research on developing single- and dual-atom catalysts for bicarbonate conversion using electrochemical methods. Focus will be on the design of the interfacial organic layer at the electrode surface to promote selective reduction of carbon dioxide to syngas, ethanol, or ethylene. In addition, the scale-up of the most promising processes will be done using electrochemical flow cells. This work will be carried out in collaboration with other members of the Daasbjerg research group.

Academic qualifications

• a strong background in electro-chemistry
• familiar with catalysis for carrying out chemical transformations.
• a PhD in chemistry
• significant experience in flow cell technology.
• experience with international collaborations and will serve as a mentor/leader for the research group.

Who we are

The Department of Chemistry is among the most successful departments at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University. The department houses several of the Danish National Research Foundation’s Centres of Excellence and carries out teaching tasks for many of the degree programs at the faculty. Made up of a wide range of scientific areas, the department is a very strong partner in interdisciplinary initiatives, especially regarding the Novo Nordisk Foundation Carbon Dioxide Research Center and the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO). The Department of Chemistry also educates the majority of chemists in Denmark, with well over 200 active BSc students, a considerable number of MSc students and more than 100 PhD students. There are 34 permanent members of the academic staff, as well as a strong support organization and a considerable number of affiliated researchers.

What we offer

The successful candidate is offered:

• access to a well-developed research infrastructure
• laboratory space, shared equipment
• a research climate inviting lively, open, and critical discussions within and across different fields of research
• a working environment with teamwork, close working relations, network activities among young scientists and social activities
• a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance

Contact information

For further information please contact: Professor Kim Daasbjerg, +45 23485249, kdaachem.au.dk.

Place of work and area of employment 

The place of work is Department of Chemistry, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/