Post Doc position in transition metal catalysis and plastic recycling
Aarhus Universitet
Company Overview
Aarhus University
HeadquartersAarhus, Denmark
Founded1928
SizeApproximately 8,000 employees (source: linkedin.com).
What They Do
Aarhus University is a public research institution focused on research, education, and demonstration of renewable energy technologies, including solar energy, energy storage, flow batteries, and offshore wind. The university's energy-related work is carried out through specialized departments and centers such as the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE) and the Centre for Energy Technologies (CET), often in collaboration with industry for technology development and pilot projects (source: peer.eu, dce.au.dk, btech.au.dk). Job opportunities for job seekers focus on academic, research, and technical roles within these units, rather than commercial energy-driven operations.
Projects & Results
Among the notable projects is the University Energy Community (UEF), which installed two rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 98 kW in September 2024, expected to produce 90 MWh annually for 25 years (source: fedarene.org). Additionally, a demonstration project for underground water balloon storage has been initiated, receiving DKK 4.9 million in EUDP funding, simulating a full-scale system for storing 230 MWh (source: stateofgreen.com). The DanFlow project, which has received DKK 11 million in support, focuses on optimizing vanadium flow batteries to reduce storage costs (source: eurekalert.org).
Recent Developments
In the past two years, Aarhus University has secured DKK 4.9 million in EUDP support for the water balloon storage demonstration, which is now in the construction phase (source: stateofgreen.com). The UEF solar energy community was launched in September 2024 and has installed 98 kW systems (source: fedarene.org). DanFlow research received DKK 11 million from the Innovation Fund, and a new center for energy and climate economics was opened at Aarhus BSS (source: eurekalert.org).
Working There
Job roles at Aarhus University's energy units range from professorships to postdoc positions and research assistants, with departments such as Engineering, Ecology, and Environmental Science hiring (source: stateofgreen.com, eurekalert.org). The culture emphasizes collaboration between research and industry, with democratic governance models in projects like UEF, and there is a focus on work-life balance in Danish academic environments (source: fedarene.org). Benefits include state-funded pensions, 37-hour work weeks, 6 weeks of vacation, and flexible working hours, although specifics may vary depending on the role (source: linkedin.com).
Last updated on Mar 13, 2026 | Report an issue
Job Description
Are you interested in transition metal catalysis, and can you contribute to the development of thermoset polymer recycling? Then the Skrydstrup Group at the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University invites you to apply for a 5-month Post Doctoral position (30 hours/week) starting from November 1st, 2026.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 5-month position (30 hours/week) from 01 November 2026.
Job description
- You will be contributing to the development of catalytic methods based on transition metal catalysis applied to thermoset plastic recycling.
- The position will focus on different catalytic processes and understanding the mechanism of the catalysis.
- You will be involved in independent and collaborative projects dealing with the deconstruction of thermoset plastics.
- These activities will be in close collaboration with other members of the Skrydstrup Group working in this field.
Your profile
- The candidate must have a PhD in synthetic chemistry or similar.
- The candidate is required to have a strong background in organic synthesis and transition metal catalysis.
- The candidate must be familiar with organometallic chemistry and the synthesis of organometallic complexes.
- The candidate must be with the technologies for plastic recycling.
- The candidate must have good communication skills and experience in writing drafts for publications.
- The candidate must have experience with international collaborations.
- The candidate must be able to work both independently but also serve as an excellent team player.
What we offer
The successful candidate is offered:
- a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
- a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
- a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
- a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University with related departments.
Contact information
For further information, please contact:
Professor Troels Skrydstrup, +45 28 99 21 32, [email protected].
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.
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Aarhus Universitet know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Aarhus Universitet know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
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About the role
September 9, 2026
September 9, 2026
Part time
On-site
School
- Aarhus, Denmark
PhD required
UTC+01:00