Head of Danish Chips Competence Center (DKCCC)

Do you want to lead the endeavors to fertilize the growth layer of commercial Danish chips development?

We are seeking a dedicated person to head the new EU and government funded Danish Chips Competence Center.

In recent years a strong focus on attracting microchips competences and activities to Europe has led to the European Chips Act with the goal to at least double chip fabrication in Europe by 2030. Combined National and EU funding has enabled the establishment of new national Chips Competence Centers in most EU member states.

The Danish National Chip Competence Center is anchored and will have its headquarters at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU. 

In the coming 4 years, DKCCC headed by a consortium consisting of DTU, Aarhus University (AU), Copenhagen University (KU), Danish Fundamental Metrology (DFM) and Danish Industry (DI) will lay the foundation for accelerating the commercial chips development in Denmark by supporting the Danish chips industry with easy access to services, research-based knowledge and state of the art facilities.

The mission of the DKCCC is to 
Lower the threshold for Danish and EU-based SMEs and start-ups to design and fabricate semiconductor chips in general and quantum chips in particular. C3-DK will provide training, tools and resources to support innovations and sustained business development within these areas of advanced chip technology.

The partners of the consortium ensure that the Chips Competence Center will function as the main hub for SMEs and start-ups in the Danish chip industry and provide access to expertise, collaboration and European networks, initiatives and funding programs. With the Danish competence center, the Danish chip industry will have the opportunity to develop, expand and spread its business areas and opportunities, as well as access a large network of European chip companies. 

The establishment of the Chips Competence Centers follows the ongoing growing activities and increasing interest in e.g. Quantum technology and quantum chips - clearly manifested through the EU Quantum Flagship, the recently established NATO Quantum Center located in Copenhagen (DIANAQ) as well as the National Strategy for Quantum Technology in Denmark and a growing quantum eco-system with currently more than 1 bn€ investments in Denmark.

With the Chips Competence Center, we now have the opportunity support chips design and fabrication and provide a one-entrance access point for the industry to accelerate business development as well as facilitate the establishment of new start-up companies in the field of microchips.
Therefore, we are seeking a strong and experienced profile to lead and coordinate the work of the Chips Competence Center to take the Danish Chips industry to the next level.

We are looking for a Head of Danish Chips Competence Center with excellent networking, coordination and communication skills, an in-depth understanding of the Danish and International Chips Industry as well as a proven track record of leadership and project management in the Deep Tech Industry. 

The center will be administratively anchored at DTU Nanolab, the head of DKCCC will report to the steering group of the consortium and refer to the Director of DTU Nanolab.

Primary areas of responsibility

• Establish the Center and its administrative setup, including hiring and onboarding the communication, administrative and technical support staff for the Center.
• Coordinate and develop the service packages offered by the center in close collaboration with the steering committee and the consortium.
• Coordinate consultancy toward companies that wish to make use of the Centre's services together with the consortium 
• Represent the Center in the European network of Competence Centers, as well as coordinate efforts with relation to other strong actors and organizations within chips development (NATO DIANA, NQCP, QD).
• Communicate the Centers activities and opportunities to the Danish Chips Industry and other stakeholders, including the national and European political level.
• Represent the Center and facilitate visits from national and international delegations.
• Administer the Center’s funding from EU and Danish Government.
• Develop a service portfolio, including competences not currently included in the consortium.

Our expectations of you
We expect excellent networking, coordination and communication skills, an in-depth understanding of the Danish and International Chips Industry and R&D landscape and a proven track record of leadership and project management. 

Your profile should include a university degree in natural or technical sciences and at least ten years of industry experience with actual technical expertise in the deep tech/chip/quantum industry. A proven track record of successful R&D project management and business acceleration is a clear advantage.

What we offer in return
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international setting with the possibility to make a difference for Denmark and the European Union.
Located at DTU Nanolab, you will meet highly skilled scientific, technical and administrative staff working together in a ‘down to earth’ atmosphere. You will find a highly professional work environment bridging industry and academia.

Salary and appointment terms
Salary and appointment terms are in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). 

The position is permanent and full-time (37 hours per week). Starting date as soon as possible (according to mutual agreement). 

The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus, but traveling activities to consortium partners and other European Competence Centers will be an integral part of the job.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than Monday 18 November 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact, Jörg Hübner at [email protected] , Director of DTU Nanolab. Read more about DTU at www.dtu.dk. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.