We invite applications for a position as Assistant Professor in thermal processes in Power-to-X technologies. The position is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for 4 years, with expected start 1 June 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
You will join a strong research environment in hydrogen, electrofuels and advanced energy systems and have the opportunity to shape both your own research profile and future teaching activities within thermal and electrochemical energy technologies.
Your work tasks
In this position, you will contribute to research, education and collaboration within thermal processes in Power-to-X technologies, with a particular focus on fuel cell and electrolysis systems. Your primary research activities will revolve around modelling, simulation and optimization of reactors and integrated systems for Power-to-X applications, where you work with both detailed component models and system-level analyses.
You will develop and apply high-fidelity models that describe coupled thermal, chemical and electrochemical phenomena and use these to study performance, efficiency and degradation under realistic and often dynamic operating conditions. This includes, for example, analysing transient behaviour, start-up and shut-down strategies, and the interaction between system design, control strategies and lifetime. You will be expected to publish your results in international journals and conferences and to contribute to the development of externally funded research projects in collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
The position is anchored in the research group "Hydrogen and Electrofuels", and you will work closely with colleagues in the Section for Thermal Engineering at the Aalborg campus. In your daily work, you will collaborate with researchers, PhD students and external stakeholders, and you will take part in ongoing projects related to fuel cell systems, electrolysis technologies and integrated Power-to-X energy systems.
Teaching will primarily be within computational fluid dynamics, thermal engineering and chemical and electrochemical process engineering at bachelor and master level, but you may also contribute to other study programmes at the university where your expertise is relevant. You will take responsibility for planning and delivering teaching, supervision of project groups and individual students, and you will contribute to further development of course content and teaching methods. Over time, you will also be able to take on coordination roles in teaching activities and participate in study programme development.
Depending on project activities, you may also be involved in supervision of PhD students, collaboration with industry and public stakeholders, and dissemination of research results to both scientific communities and broader audiences. Overall, the position gives you the opportunity to combine focused research with impactful teaching and active participation in the strategic development of the research field within Power-to-X and thermal energy systems.
Your competencies
You have a strong academic background within energy engineering, with a particular focus on thermal and process engineering and advanced energy conversion technologies. You hold a PhD degree (or are close to completion) in a relevant field such as chemical engineering, thermal engineering, energy technology or a closely related discipline, and you have a documented research profile within topics such as fuel cells, electrolysis, Power-to-X processes, or related thermal and electrochemical systems.
In your research, you are comfortable working with modelling, simulation and analysis of complex systems. Experience with high-fidelity numerical modelling, for example using computational fluid dynamics or advanced process simulation tools, is highly relevant. It is an advantage if you are familiar with multi-physics modelling, degradation modelling or dynamic system analysis, and if you have experience with implementing models in programming environments or simulation frameworks commonly used in the energy field.
You work in a structured way and are capable of planning and coordinating your own research activities, while at the same time contributing constructively to collaborative projects. You are used to working in teams where different disciplines meet, and you communicate your ideas clearly to colleagues, partners and students. Project experience, including participation in or coordination of research projects, will be viewed positively, as will experience with external funding applications.
In relation to teaching, you are motivated to contribute to high-quality education and to support students in their learning and project work. You either have documented teaching experience or can demonstrate a clear interest in developing your teaching competences. Over time, you are willing to take responsibility for courses and supervision at different levels and to engage in the ongoing development of curricula within thermal and electrochemical energy technologies.
Because bachelor-level teaching at Aalborg University is primarily conducted in Danish, you should be prepared to teach in Danish in the future. If you do not already speak Danish, you are expected to make an active effort to learn Danish as a second or third language within the first years of employment. Good English skills, both written and spoken, are required, as English is the primary language in the research environment and in many teaching activities.
On a personal level, you are curious, collaborative and open to feedback. You enjoy working in an international environment, where researchers and students from many backgrounds come together around common scientific challenges. You take responsibility for your tasks, contribute to a positive and inclusive work atmosphere in the team, and you are willing to share knowledge, support colleagues and help drive common activities forward.
Who we are
AAU Energy is a research department at the Faculty of Engineering and Science at Aalborg University that is dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities span electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work across disciplines to address concrete challenges in the green transition together with industrial partners, public actors and other research institutions. A central part of our mission is to create value in practice, for example by contributing to new solutions, methods and insights that can be applied in companies and in the wider energy system.
The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. AAU Energy employs around 300 staff members with many different national backgrounds, including scientific and technical staff as well as approximately 25 administrative staff members. We offer an international research environment, where you will meet colleagues from a wide range of countries and academic traditions and where English is a natural working language.
In the Section for Thermal Engineering, and specifically in the "Hydrogen and Electrofuels" research group, you will experience a good balance between early-career and more experienced researchers. This mix creates a setting where ideas are tested, shared and developed across generations, and where younger colleagues can draw on the experience and networks of senior staff. We actively support diversity in all its forms, including gender diversity, and we are proud to have a significant share of women among our academic staff. Creating an inclusive environment, where different perspectives are welcomed and respected, is an integral part of how we work together.
As a new colleague, you will be invited to take part in the development of new research ideas and funding applications. We see this as a central way to strengthen the career paths of our younger researchers and to help them build a robust academic profile. Through our projects, you will have ample opportunity to build and expand your own network with partners from both academia and industry, for example through joint research activities, co-authored publications, workshops and meetings with external stakeholders. In this way, the position offers a platform not only for scientific development, but also for establishing long-term collaborations and contacts outside the university.
We offer access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and a collegial environment that supports innovation, professional development and knowledge sharing. At times, the workload can be high, for example around deadlines for teaching, projects or funding applications, and we are continuously working to organise tasks and expectations in a way that supports a sustainable work life over time. Within the framework of the university's policies, there is room for flexible working arrangements, and we encourage an open and honest dialogue in the group about priorities, deadlines and how we solve our tasks together.
You will have the opportunity to develop your academic profile through research, teaching and collaboration and to contribute to the department's wider mission of developing solutions that support a sustainable energy future in close interaction with our partners.
Qualification requirements
Appointment as assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.
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 five 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.
- 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 us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
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.
