Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Biotechnological or Chemical Process System Engineering

Do you want to work with process engineering in biotechnology or chemistry, focusing on refinery and biorefinery processes, process design, and optimization using deterministic and stochastic methods? And do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application for our position as Associate Professor.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Biotechnological or Chemical Process System Engineering is open for appointment from 1 February 2027, or soon hereafter.

Your work tasks  
The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience is seeking a dynamic and problem-solving Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor to join a team of scientists and experts in Chemical and BioEngineering at our campus in Esbjerg. In collaboration with colleagues, the successful candidate will perform research in chemical engineering, with particular focus on chemical process systems engineering. The candidate is expected to build a strong research group and contribute to the teaching of process engineering and competencies for Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering students.

Teaching responsibilities will include both bachelor’s and master's level courses in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Bioengineering, and may also extend to other study programmes at the university. Teaching will primarily focus on process engineering, process design, process simulation, and optimization through both course instruction and supervision of student projects. Aalborg University is a world leader in problem-based learning (PBL) and is recognized for producing highly skilled graduates with excellent employability. Our graduates have extensive experience in project-based work, solving real-world challenges in multidisciplinary teams, and critically evaluating the technologies they develop.

Your competencies    
The successful candidate should have experience in chemical process systems engineering, collaboration with industry partners, and modern chemical production processes, including upstream and/or downstream operations. Experience with refinery or biorefinery processes, process design, and process optimization using deterministic and/or stochastic methods in combination with commercial process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, or UniSim) is considered an advantage but is not a prerequisite.

In addition, candidates should be able to demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, and experience conducting collaborative and transdisciplinary research and outreach activities. Documented experience with leadership in research, innovation, engagement with external stakeholders is desirable, as well as documented expertise in the application of research methods and techniques relevant to the areas described above. Experience with innovation and from working with or at relevant industries is evaluated on equal terms as experience with research and teaching. Experience with general academic citizenship is also desirable.

Moreover, the successful candidate will have documented experience with teaching, including preparation and execution of course teaching and supervision of both bachelor and master-level students. Experience with problem- and project-based teaching is desirable, but not a prerequisite.

Qualification requirements

Tenure track assistant professor
Applicants for a tenure track assistant professorship must have academic qualifications at PhD level.

Appointment as a tenure track assistant professor requires that applicants demonstrate significant potential for developing an independent and internationally recognised research profile. In the assessment, particular emphasis is placed on the applicant's ability to demonstrate a high degree of autonomy in previous education and employment, as well as the potential to develop into one of the leading researchers within their field.

Applicants are expected to have academic experience from several universities and/or research institutions, preferably including international experience. In addition, applicants must demonstrate strong communication skills and be able to write and speak English at an academic level.

It is furthermore expected that the applicant possesses the qualifications and potential necessary to meet the criteria for permanent appointment as an associate professor at Aalborg University upon successful completion of the tenure track period.

Associate professor

Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of employment as an assistant professor but may also be obtained in other ways.

It is a precondition that applicants have documented research at an international standard. In addition, applicants are assumed to have received supervision and pedagogical skills development and to have obtained a positive written assessment of their teaching qualifications.

Assessment in connection with transfer from tenure track assistant professor to associate professorship

The assessment in connection with transition to tenure as an associate professor normally takes place in the final six months of the tenure track assistant professors’ employment. However, the employee may request that an assessment take place at an earlier time in the first four years. If this assessment finds that the employee is not academically qualified, they may request another assessment within the final six months of their period of employment. A maximum of two assessments may take place.

The assessment, on transition to the associate professorship, will as a minimum, emphasize the following qualifications in relation to the scientific subject area of the tenure track assistant professorship:

Research qualifications equivalent to the level that can be achieved on the basis of satisfactorily completed employment as tenure track assistant professor.  Documented scientific production at international level. Assessment will be based on up to ten selected publications selected by the employee.  Documentation of pedagogical supervision and upgrading of qualifications, including a positive written assessment of teaching qualifications. The assessment will also be based on the employee's teaching portfolio.  The level of contribution to an active academic environment as well as the ability to collaborate and build relationships.  The level of experience with grant proposals and experience of communicating research to relevant stakeholders.

If the tenure track assistant professor fails to request that their qualifications be assessed in the last year of their period of employment or if they are assessed as not academically qualified, the university must immediately initiate dismissal proceedings in accordance with the collective agreement rules.

Who we are
 At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 200 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!

Read more about the department here; Department of Chemistry and Bioscience.

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.

For the position as assistant professor you may attach a maximum of five publications.

For the position as associate professor 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. 
- 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 and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled "Tenure track assistant professor/Tenure track researcher” and “Associate professor”.