Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering (fixed term)

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in the field of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), with a specific focus on gas hydrate–based carbon capture technologies.
 

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 3–year position starting April 2026, or as soon as possible.
 

Job description

The successful candidate will join the Gas Hydrate Research Group, contributing to ongoing and future research activities focused on developing novel gas-hydrate processes for CO₂ capture and sequestration, understanding hydrate formation and dissociation mechanisms, and advancing experimental methods, process design, and equipment development. The position also includes participation in broader CCUS research at the department level, including alternative capture technologies, storage concepts, and utilization pathways.

Primary responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on gas hydrate–based CO₂ capture, including experimental design, process development, thermodynamic/kinetic analysis, and scale-up considerations.
• Contribute to research on complementary CCUS technologies, such as solvent-based, cryogenic, or solid sorbent capture; CO₂ sequestration concepts; and CO₂ utilization processes.
• Participate in the development, operation, and safety management of high-pressure laboratory setups and pilot-scale experimental facilities.
• Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with academic partners, industrial stakeholders, and research centers involved in CCUS and Power-to-X activities.
• Disseminate research findings through high-quality publications, conference contributions, and scientific outreach.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals for national and international funding schemes.
• Conduct research-based teaching and supervision at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels, including examination duties and development of teaching materials, in accordance with AU’s job structure requirements.
• Lead or contribute to multidisciplinary research activities across departments or research groups, integrating methods and knowledge from related fields to advance CCUS and gas-hydrate science.

Additional expectations

• Active participation in group meetings, research coordination activities, and collaborative project tasks.
• Contribution to supervision and mentoring of students working on CCUS and gas hydrate–related projects.
• Collaboration with industry partners where relevant, in line with Tech faculty criteria for industrial engagement
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, well-managed laboratory environment.
• The ability to deliver high-quality research-based teaching, including prior teaching experience or completion of a university pedagogical programme (or equivalent).
• Experience with course development, curriculum design, or preparation of teaching materials at BSc or MSc level.
• A developing record of independent scientific contribution, including leadership or coordination roles in research activities.
• The ability to engage in—and ideally initiate—multidisciplinary research collaborations across departments or research institutes.
• Demonstrated capability in student supervision at multiple academic levels and participation in examination or assessment activities.
   

Your profile

Applicants must hold a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a closely related field.
We are looking for a candidate with a strong research background and a documented track record in CO₂ capture, sequestration, and mineralization technologies. The ideal candidate will have:

Research and Technical Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in gas hydrate science, including hydrate formation/dissociation mechanisms, phase-equilibrium studies, thermodynamics, or kinetics.
• Strong experience with experimental research, particularly in high-pressure systems, gas–liquid reactors, or pilot-scale equipment used for gas hydrate or CCUS studies.
• Experience with CO₂ capture and sequestration technologies, such as hydrate-based processes, solvent absorption, cryogenic separation, solid sorbents, or carbon mineralization pathways.
• Competence in analytical techniques, including NMR, GC, and other characterization or compositional analysis methods relevant to gas hydrate and CCUS research.
• Experience in chemical synthesis related to additives, promoters, inhibitors, or functional materials for CO₂ capture systems.
• A strong record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant journals and demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.

Additional Merits

• Previous teaching experience at the BSc, MSc, or higher-education level, including lecturing, course instruction, or academic assessment.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary or cross-departmental research environments, integrating approaches from chemistry, materials science, geoscience, or process engineering.
• Experience in industry collaboration or research partnerships with industrial or public-sector stakeholders in CCUS or energy systems.
• Participation in research proposal development and externally funded projects.
• Experience with supervision or co-supervision of BSc, MSc, or PhD students.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment.
   

Who we are

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) conducts internationally recognized research within Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Process Engineering. The department spans fundamental science to mid-TRL technology development, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, energy systems, and research that supports the green transition.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is central to our culture. BCE maintains strong partnerships across Aarhus University, including with the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology and Genetics, iNano, Bioscience, Food Science, Agroecology, and Chemistry, as well as with national and international research centers and industrial collaborators.

The successful candidate will join the Gas Hydrate Research Group, led by Associate Professor Behzad Partoon, which collaborates closely with the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO₂ Research Center (CORC). The group focuses on carbon capture, sequestration, and related CCUS technologies, with particular expertise in gas hydrate–based CO₂ capture processes, high-pressure experimentation, phase-equilibrium studies, and advanced analytical methods. Its work contributes to the department’s strategic efforts in developing innovative and sustainable CO₂ mitigation technologies.

At BCE, we aim to produce high-quality research and translate scientific results into technologies and solutions that address pressing societal challenges. We value interdisciplinary collaboration, industrial engagement, and scientific excellence that support Denmark’s and Europe’s climate and energy goals.
 

What we offer

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure, including laboratories and specialised facilities supporting experimental research in gas hydrates and related CO₂ capture technologies, as well as access to shared analytical and characterization equipment.
• An exciting interdisciplinary research environment with strong collaborations across Aarhus University and with national, international, and industrial partners engaged in CCUS, energy systems, and sustainable process technologies.
• A research climate that supports open, constructive, and critical scientific dialogue, fostering collaboration across disciplines and research groups.
• A supportive work environment with close working relationships, opportunities for networking, and a range of departmental and social activities.
• A workplace committed to professionalism, equality, and a healthy work–life balance, ensuring that staff can thrive both academically and personally.
   

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Hangøvej 2, 8200, Aarhus N, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 
 

Contact information

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Behzad Partoon at +45 22 52 16 59 or Behzad.partoon@bce.au.dk.
 

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 1 February 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 assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks 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 will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Technical 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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
 

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/