Postdoc in Probing Nanoscale Heterogeneity in Ultrafast Phase Transitions

The Department of Physics, Aarhus University, invites applications for a 2-year full-time postdoc position in the project “Probing nanoscale heterogeneity in ultrafast phase transitions”.

The position is available from 1 April 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
This project will use a recently developed soft X-ray imaging method to probe the dynamics of light-induced phase transitions at the nanoscale using X-ray Free Electron Lasers. The work will also combine lab-based experiments on time-resolved nonlinear optics.

Job responsibilities
The postdoc will be expected to:

• Lead XFEL and synchrotron experiments in soft X-ray imaging
• Prepare and characterise samples
• Lead experiments in nonlinear optics in the laboratory

Qualifications
Applicants must have:

• A PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry or a related field
• Experience with ultrafast lasers and/or X-rays and/or quantum materials

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.


Further information
For further information about the position, please contact: Simon Wall, simon.wall@phys.au.dk.

Application deadline
The application deadline is 16 December 2026.


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.

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 and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

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.