DIAS Professor in the Fate of Chemicals in Circular Systems

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) seeks an outstanding candidate to fill a Fully tenured Professor position in the field of Fate of Chemicals in Circular Systems. This critical area of research focuses on the occurrence and transformation of chemicals in circular systems such as water treatment processes, plastics, textiles, and building materials. The role includes chemical analysis, bioassays, targeted removal of chemicals, development of new treatment methods, and risk assessment, with a particular emphasis on degradation products.

This position will be attached to the SDU Centre for Life Cycle Engineering (SDU-LCE) at Department of Green Technology (IGT), in Odense, and the successful candidate is expected to participate in DIAS activities as DIAS Chair, and to interdisciplinary cooperation in Odense regularly.

The candidate is expected to start 01 September 2025.

The successful candidate should have a strong international profile, an excellent record of research publications, a strong track record of attracting research funding, and demonstrated exceptional potential to excel in scientific research. We expect applicants to actively engage in the development of SDU-LCE, IGT and contribute positively to DIAS as a whole.

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS)

DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster interdisciplinary research and innovation. DIAS encourages and supports curiosity-driven research and fosters the meeting of minds across disciplines and levels of seniority. The center cultivates an ambitious, open-minded and playful environment that nurtures both academic growth and a strong sense of community.  The candidate will be anticipated to contribute actively to DIAS, including but not limited to participation in DIAS activities, mentoring of DIAS fellows, and promotion of DIAS nationally, internationally and within SDU, as well as through strengthening the bonds between the department/faculty on one hand and DIAS on the other, through interdisciplinary collaborations where meaningful.

For further information about being a professor at DIAS, please contact DIAS Director Sten Rynning at +45 6550 2193 or via email at [email protected]. 

Department of Green Technology

The Department for Green Technology (IGT) at the Faculty of Engineering, SDU, is a highly interdisciplinary department equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories.

You will be part of a team of researchers working at the department supporting excellence within research and teaching.

Odense, where IGT is located, is an international and family-friendly city with a rich cultural life, situated on the fjord. It is about an hour from Copenhagen and has a direct train connection to Copenhagen’s international airport.

SDU’s Odense Campus is nestled in the beautiful Danish countryside, surrounded by fields and forests, with remarkable wildlife right at its doorstep.

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

SDU Life Cycle Engineering is dedicated to analyzing and developing sustainable solutions for society through a systems perspective. Our mission is to foster a sustainable future by gaining holistic insights and understanding the long-term interactions between technologies and systems on a global scale. At the core of our research are comprehensive insights, knowledge, and methodologies that drive our commitment to sustainability. For further information about SDU-LCE and this specific position, please contact Head of Center, Professor Morten Birkved at [email protected].

Job Description

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Drive internationally competitive research activities at the highest level of ambition.
• Publish in high-level peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Demonstrate high level of engagement in DIAS, including but not limited to participation in DIAS activities, promotion of DIAS, include DIAS affiliation in presentations and events, as well as publications. 
• Engage in various forms of research dissemination, including interdisciplinary research and dialogue. 
• Play an active role in securing external funding, including both EU and Danish sources.
• Commit to excellence in teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including participation in teaching, development of new courses, and supervision of BSc, MSc, and PhD students.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on life cycle analysis (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA), mass flow analysis (MEA), and ecotoxicology, also in the framework of DIAS.
• Assess the fate and removal of chemicals in the environment, aligning with the EU’s “Safe and Sustainable by Design” (SSbD) directive.

Qualifications

Successful applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or similar qualifications within a relevant field such as Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Environmental Science.
• Have experience at full professor level or achieved professor level by the hiring time.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of research and scientific publication.
• Show an excellent record of attracting research funding.
• Have strong experience in research management and good communication skills.
• Have a well-documented teaching record in the field.
• Be fluent in English; the ability to communicate in Danish is an advantage but not a precondition.
• Exhibit a commitment to excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration.

We offer

We offer a dynamic and inspiring work environment where you will be part of a team working with groundbreaking research, development, and teaching within green technology. You will have opportunities for professional and personal development through courses, workshops, and conferences, as well as close collaboration with researchers, providing you with a strong professional network. 

We warmly invite all qualified candidates to apply. We are dedicated to embracing human diversity, believing that the key to achieving exceptional and outstanding research lies in fostering an inclusive community that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds.

There are numerous funding opportunities available for research, whether for small projects, individual efforts, or large collaborations in Denmark. Notably, several foundations offer grants for researchers relocating to Denmark, supporting the establishment of new labs. These grants are open to researchers at all career stages and across various fields. 

Conditions of Employment

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on salary and taxation.  Salary is negotiable. Teaching obligations will be reduced compared to a regular full professor position at SDU.

Employment as professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific qualifications with a high level of international academic production, experience with teaching on more academic levels, and contribution to development of teaching and teaching materials as well as the documented ability to administer scientific- and educational management tasks.

Assessment and selection process 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied. Only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. 

Interviews and tests may be part of the process.

The application deadline is February 28, 2025, at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

Application Process

The qualifications of each applicant will be assessed by a committee of experts. Each applicant will be informed of the outcome of this assessment. Qualified applicants may be called for an interview as part of the final selection. Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link below. Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 MB.

An application must include:

• Application letter including a statement of motivation.
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of research experience and a research plan for the next 5 years.
• Complete list of publications, including examples of the most relevant publications (up to 5 publications). These publications should be marked in the list of publications and enclosed.
• Evidence of experience in teaching (Teaching portfolio).
• Certificates/Diplomas (any relevant Master's degree, PhD degree, or other relevant certificates) – Danish or English transcripts.

The evidence of research experience and research ideas should include a list of previous research projects and activities and any related fundraising done by the applicant. Further, it should show an overview of experience with research management, i.e., an overview of research project leadership and leadership of research groups. Finally, it should include ideas and strategies for future anticipated research topics of the applicant, how these topics integrate in and further develop research of SDU-LCE, IGT and DIAS, and how they relate to societal focus and expected research funding options.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark can be found on our website.

You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information. 

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

Formalities

• According to the University of Southern Denmark’s internal guidelines, there must be at least three qualified applicants to a position before it can be filled.
• Documents must not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. 

Apply for the position at www.sdu.dk