Professor or Associate Professor within the natural sciences, with a focus on Innovation (f/m/d)

Professor or Associate Professor within the natural sciences, with a focus on Innovation (4 positions)

Aarhus University is expanding its strategic efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to translate research into societal solutions, spin-outs, and collaborations with industry. Aligned with Aarhus University's Strategy 2030, these positions strengthen research-based innovation as a core focus.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences invites applications for four permanent positions as Professor or Associate Professor with a focus on research-based innovation across all scientific disciplines represented at the faculty. Successful candidates will:

• Be affiliated with the department best matching their scientific profile.
• Play a central role in developing research-based innovation activities locally and faculty-wide.
• Contribute to integrating innovation thinking into the university's culture while ensuring tangible impact.

Applications from skilled scientists and experienced innovation professionals in research-intensive industry or start-ups are encouraged.

Expected start date: April 1st, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your Profile

You are a recognised researcher from academia, industry, start-ups, or similar, with:

• A clear vision for generating impact from natural science research through innovation.
• Experience in translating research into solutions via external collaboration, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, co-creation with public/private partners, or other forms of societal application.

You are motivated to:

• Contribute to the strategic development of your department and the faculty.
• Serve as a role model for colleagues and students in integrating innovation into research.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

• Strong research record.
• Documented experience in research-based innovation, e.g.:
  • Commercialisation, research alliances, entrepreneurship.
  • New collaborations with external partners.
• A vision for cultural change, making research-based innovation a natural part of the research environment.
• Active involvement in teaching and supervision (BSc, MSc, PhD), including entrepreneurship education where relevant.
• Leadership capacity to drive cultural change, lead research teams, and contribute strategically.
• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to build bridges between academia and external stakeholders.

Advantageous:

• Experience with research management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and securing external funding for innovation activities.

What We Offer

• A permanent position with a focus on research and research-based innovation.
• Institutional support for scientific networks and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Capability development, including pedagogical training and innovation/entrepreneurship support.
• A collaborative, international working environment with a flat structure and strong collegial culture.
• Relocation services and career counselling for international researchers and families.

Key Innovation and Collaboration Partners

You will engage actively with:

• Science Bridge (Faculty of Natural Sciences):
  • Facilitates early-stage knowledge exchange between research and society through thematic "Actions."
  • Creates co-creation arenas for joint project development prior to formal funding/IP agreements.
• Kitchen (Aarhus University's central innovation unit):
  • Supports researchers and students in developing ideas, building start-ups, and establishing industry partnerships.
• Interdisciplinary Research Clusters:
  • Promotes large-scale collaborative research on societal challenges with national/international partners.

Place of Work and Employment Conditions

• Employer: Aarhus University.
• Work location: One of the departments under the Faculty of Natural Sciences (determined in negotiation).
• Language requirements:
  • High proficiency in English.
  • Non-Danish speakers must be willing to learn Danish within two years (training provided).

About the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Aarhus University is a top-100 global university. The faculty:

• Hosts internationally leading research environments addressing societal challenges.
• Covers 7 departments (biology, physics & astronomy, chemistry, geology, mathematics, computer science, molecular biology & genetics), a graduate school, and interdisciplinary centres.
• Emphasises external collaboration, research, and education with 3,200 students and 1,500 employees.

Job description automatically summarized using AI