AAU Energy offers a permanent full time position as Professor in electric power systems and electrification, available from 1 November 2026 or soon hereafter. The position is based at the Aalborg campus.
Aalborg University has been ranked as the best university in Europe within energy research and is among the very top universities worldwide in this field. As Professor you will lead the development of a new research area on electrification and transmission systems. You will contribute to shaping how future power systems can enable a faster and more robust green transition.
Your work tasks
As Professor in electric power systems and electrification you are expected to establish and grow a new research group in electrification and transmission systems. The group will focus on the integration of large shares of inverter based renewable energy (IBR), cross border power transmission and system related issues such as stability and transmission bottlenecks. Transmission power systems play a major role in the green transition and are often the bottleneck for sufficiently fast progress. New renewable energy generation as well as large consumers waiting to be electrified are sometimes put on hold because transmission systems cannot follow the demand.
The professor is expected, in cooperation with both AAU based researchers as well as international world-class researchers, to identify ways to develop the power system from a one-grid perspective, enabling a faster electrification. This development must consider technical/economical/societal challenges from a holistic perspective considering elements such as:
- flexible transmission network planning
- cross-border transmission capacity
- system stability with large IBR shares
- multi-terminal HVDC, P2X, storage providing system services
- blackouts and network restoration in IBR based power system
- advanced simulation platforms and digital twins as a holistic decision support for complex system phenomena as well as the more practical considerations of operating such power systems.
A key success criterion for the position is the establishment of a funding self supportive and growing research group with at least ten members within a five year horizon. This includes attracting competitive national and international research grants and building strong cooperation with TSO/DSO companies, as well as with industry partners in Denmark and across Europe.
The department will support you in founding the research group by investing in an additional position as assistant or associate professor. Together with the Head of Section, you will have the opportunity to recruit this colleague within the first year and you will receive support in establishing and positioning the group within AAU Energy and the wider energy research landscape.
The focus of the professorship will be mainly on research, with a limited amount of teaching and supervision within core research areas. Teaching and supervision will take place within electrical engineering and related programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level, and over time you are expected to contribute to the development of courses and project activities that reflect your research profile. The position is placed in the Section for Electric Power Systems and Microgrids.
Your Competencies
The position requires an internationally highly recognized researcher. You must have a strong, proven track record of attracting and leading large international research as PI successfully as well as an excellent set of academic credentials including first authorships in prestigious journals and conferences such as IEEE and CIGRE within the topics relevant for the position.
You have solid experience with interdisciplinary collaboration with stakeholders outside academia at both national and international levels. You can document experience from collaboration with TSO and DSO companies, and you are motivated by working in partnerships where research results are discussed, tested and implemented in real power systems. Active roles in knowledge exchange power grid societies (e.g., CIGRE) and practical experience with power system operation and planning are considered clear advantages.
You hold a relevant professional and educational background within electric power systems. The position requires research qualifications at doctoral level within electrical power transmission or closely related areas.
You communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing, and you can present complex technical material clearly to different audiences. Non-Danish and non-Scandinavian speaking candidates are expected to learn Danish to a fluent level within three years in order to participate fully in everyday departmental life and in relevant local collaboration.
The position requires that you can obtain security clearance by the relevant Danish authorities in order to access data related to critical infrastructure.
Who we are
AAU Energy is a Energy department at Aalborg University dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities cover electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industrial partners, utilities and other academic environments to address real world energy challenges. Aalborg University has been ranked as the best university in Europe within energy research and is among the very best universities worldwide in this field. At AAU Energy you will be part of a top international environment where research, innovation and collaboration are used to develop solutions to global challenges such as the green transition and future energy systems.
The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. AAU Energy employs around 250 staff members at different career stages and with diverse national and disciplinary backgrounds, which creates an international and interdisciplinary research environment with many opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. English is widely used as working language in both research and teaching, which supports the integration of international colleagues.
As a Professor at AAU Energy, you will have access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and to a network of strong research groups within power electronics, electric power systems, energy planning and related areas. We offer a work environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching, supervision and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners. As a workplace we value a collegial and inclusive culture with room for professional discussion, initiative and mutual support in everyday work. You can read more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must be able to document a high degree of original academic production at an international level and experience from teaching at different levels. Including tests/exams, course/study programme management as well as contributions to the development of teaching activities and teaching material.
Emphasis is placed on the extent, to which the applicant, has developed the academic discipline from a research and teaching perspective.
Emphasis may moreover be placed on the applicant’s ability to carry out and develop research-based public-sector consultancy. Also, emphasis will be placed on an assessment of the applicant’s ability to perform research and teaching management tasks and possibly fulfil other functions, for example in relation to the university’s external cooperation.
Emphasis will also be placed on the applicant's ability to undertake pedagogical supervision, supervision and academic assessment work.
Who we are
AAU Energy is an Energy department at Aalborg University dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities cover electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industrial partners, utilities and other academic environments to address real world energy challenges.
Aalborg University has been ranked as the best university in Europe within energy research and is among the very best universities worldwide in this field. At AAU Energy you will be part of a top international environment where research, innovation and collaboration are used to develop solutions to global challenges such as the green transition and future energy systems.
The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. AAU Energy employs around 250 staff members at different career stages and with diverse national and disciplinary backgrounds, which creates an international and interdisciplinary research environment with many opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. English is widely used as working language in both research and teaching, which supports the integration of international colleagues.
As a Professor at AAU Energy, you will have access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and to a network of strong research groups within power electronics, electric power systems, energy planning and related areas. We offer a work environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching, supervision and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners. As a workplace we value a collegial and inclusive culture with room for professional discussion, initiative and mutual support in everyday work. You can read more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.
International onboarding and relocation support
For candidates relocating from other parts of Denmark or from abroad, Aalborg University offers a structured onboarding process and dedicated relocation support. You will have access to guidance on housing, childcare and schooling options, as well as practical matters related to moving to Denmark. The university’s International Staff Unit supports international employees and their families before and after arrival, for example in relation to residence permits, health insurance and everyday life in Denmark. International employees are typically offered Danish language courses during their first years in Denmark, which supports both professional collaboration and social integration.
You can read more about relocation support and services here: www.en.hr.aau.dk/relocation-support
How to apply
Your application must include the following:
- Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma)
- List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of ten publications.
- Documentation of teaching qualifications. Please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine. If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
- Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.
- Additional qualifications in relation to the position
- References/recommendations
You can read more about the requirements for your application here.
The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact Professor, Head of section Claus Leth Bak, clb@energy.aau.dk +4599409281 or Head of department Lars Storm Pedersen, lsped@energy.aau.dk.
Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here
The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.
The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).
There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.
Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.
