Professor in Advanced Operando Characterization Techniques for Heterogeneous Catalysis DTU Nanolab DTU Physics

The National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization DTU Nanolab and the Department of Physics DTU Physics invite applications for a joint position as Professor in Advanced operando characterization techniques for heterogeneous catalysis with a particular emphasis on exploring the relationship between structure and functionality in catalytic systems relevant for sustainable energy solutions including Power-2-X applications.

With this professorship we seek to take a leading role in exploring and utilizing all relevant advanced operando materials characterization techniques e.g. the use of electrons neutrons and photons and to develop educational elements at BSc MSc and PhD levels around this.

The position is a permanent faculty position anchored both in the Section for Nanocharacterization at DTU Nanolab and the Section for Experimental Surface Physics and Catalysis (SURFCAT) at DTU Physics.

We offer you an internationally leading and collaborative research environment inspiring teaching of excellent graduate and undergraduate students and an ambitious DTU innovation ecosystem. We emphasize and encourage collaboration between theory and experiment and across disciplines and build on using and developing state-of-the art methods and instrumentation.

Our research infrastructure embraces numerous on-site experimental setups for advanced spectroscopy characterization structural characterization with atomic-scale electron microscopy and heterogeneous catalytic addition we use and contribute to international research facilities using x-rays e.g. MAX IV and ESRF and neutrons where it is a strategic goal to harvest the full potential of the new neutron facility in Lund the European Spallation Source (ESS).

DTU Nanolab is a central research infrastructure at DTU with the overall mission of contributing to research development innovation and education within development and application of advanced characterization methods by means of electron microscopy and development and application of advanced micro- and nanofabrication technology. DTU Nanolab consists of two facilities (a cleanroom for nanofabrication and an electron microscopy facility for nano characterization). Both facilities are located at DTUs campus in Kgs. Lyngby.

The DTU Physics SURFCAT section focuses on fundamental research in heterogeneous catalysis and electro-catalysis. The research includes experimental investigations of reactions on single crystal surfaces model systems and mass-selected nanoparticles. It also includes building a theory of catalysis for a broad range of catalysts and processes that enables computational design rules for new catalysts and it extends to synthesis characterization and testing of high-surface-area catalytic materials under realistic operating/operando conditions. The research primarily targets reactions crucial for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen our research and teaching in heterogeneous catalysis through advanced operando characterization techniques with a particular emphasis on obtaining structure-function relationships in catalytic systems relevant for sustainable energy solutions.

You will collaborate with colleagues and academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad and drive progress through your personal engagement.

We expect the successful candidate to have a strong documented academic background within structure-function correlations in heterogeneous catalysis and practical electron microscopy and other in-situ/operando structural characterization techniques (X-ray and neutron based) of catalyst materials. At DTU Nanolab we aim to exploit synergies between nanofabrication and characterization and have a strong tradition to fabricate nanostructures that allow new characterization techniques. Basic knowledge and experience in nanofabrication will therefore be a distinct advantage.

Your research field includes several of these topics:

• In-situ and operando investigations of catalytic materials and model systems
• Electron microscopy techniques including (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• X-ray characterization methods such as x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)
• Utilization of neutron-based analytical techniques
• Design and development of new catalysts related to sustainable energy conversion reactions
• Synthesis of catalytic materials
• Collaboration between theory and experiment
• Structure-function correlations in heterogeneous catalysis
• Exploration of intermetallic catalysts including binary and ternary alloy systems
• Development or integration of new operando instrumentation and methodologies

You are expected to secure national and international research funding in this area leading to the establishment and strong development of an internationally acknowledged research group in your research field.

You are expected to take a leading role in teaching at both DTU Nanolab and DTU Physics at bachelor master and PhD levels. We also require experience with and ambitions concerning the planning and coordination of educations and education elements at all levels.

Leadership experience is a requirement and you will be assessed against the following criteria:

• You are an experienced group leader or project leader
• You have supervision experience at bachelor and master levels
• You are an experienced and conscientious PhD supervisor
• You enjoy the process from basic science to application
• You have a track record of securing research funding
• You enjoy facilitating new collaborations by e.g. initiating and organizing conferences and events

DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages and in time are expected to master both.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Documented experience and quality of teaching and curriculum development
• Research impact and experience funding track record and research vision
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership collaboration and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Head of DTU Nanolab Jörg Hübner Head of DTU Physics Jane Hvolbæk Nielsen Professor Jakob Birkedal Wagner and Professor Jakob Kibsgaard .

You can read more about DTU Nanolab at about DTU Physics at If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 23 November 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply please open the link Apply now fill out the online application form and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter) addressed to the President
• Vision for teaching and research
• CV including employment history list of publications indicating scientific highlights H-index and ORCID (see portfolioincluding documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

You can learn more about the recruitment process here.

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.

AtDTU Physics we perform research in fundamental and applied physics areas and we use and develop state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical methods. We have a broad effort in materials physics and design catalysis quantum optics sensing and communication biophysics plasma physics luminescence physics nuclear physics and continuum physics. We are approximately 300 employees. Our research impacts society with new sustainable energy technologies secure digital communication medical technology and new analytical methods. We use and develop basic theory next-generation instrumentation and software and we aim to make our data publicly accessible and usable.

DTU Nanolab is a state-of-the-art research infrastructure facility at DTU) with approximate 100 staff members. DTU Nanolab operates and maintains advanced processing equipment within 1350 m2 ISO class 4-7 ISO 9001-certified open access pay-per-use cleanroom a separate specially constructed building the centre operates eight state-of-the-art electron microscopes among them four Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) and two Dual Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB SEM). The research at DTU Nanolab is aimed at the development of novel fabrication and characterization techniques for advanced materials in a broad range of areas.

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 UNs 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 13500 students and 6000 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.