Research Assistant in Design for Sustainability

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design Department of Sustainability and Planning Copenhagen a position as Research Assistant in Design for Sustainability is open for appointment from 1 February 2026 or soon hereafter. The position is available for a period of 12 months.

The department was established in 1975. Today we are located in two beautiful harbour-front locations in both Aalborg and Copenhagen. We have more than 250 employees and approximately 1200 students across the two cities.
Our research and study programmes are rooted in sustainability and the green transition. This means we conduct research in areas such as the circular economy technology urban energy and environmental planning as well as sustainable transition and design. Sustainability is central to our work in environmental assessment and marine surveying and land use sustainability is reflected in our efforts in nature restoration and climate adaptation.
As society continues to develop digitally we also focus on responsible technology development addressing real-life challenges. Our problem-oriented approach and close collaboration with businesses and public organisations form the foundation of all our study programmes. Additionally our engineering programmes are among the best in Europe.

Job description
The position is affiliated with the research group Design for Sustainability (DfS). The DfS research group takes a designerly approach in addressing challenges of Sustainable Development concerning health and well-being clean energy and responsible consumption and production. The vision of the DfS research group is to contribute to circular and sustainable transition processes through innovative and action-oriented research that contributes to methods and frameworks in the emerging field of Design for Sustainability.
The scientific assistants research will contribute to a better understanding of sustainability potential and sociotechnical experiments with circular economy in urban environments. DfSs research is based on close collaboration with external stakeholders: businesses public authorities and institutions civil society organisations and citizens. Research areas will be within Design for Sustainability field covering specifically scientific development in the integration of technical engineering sciences and sustainability circular economy and design (with special emphasis on food and waste) and design for sustainable transitions. Concretely the scientific assistant will be engaged in the project TransScale Project: Advancing Urban Sustainability through Circular Economy.

Teaching will primarily be in Bæredygtigt Design (Sustainable Design - bachelor taught in Danish) and Sustainable Design (at master level which is taught in English) but also in other study programmes at the University. Concretely the scientific assistant will support the first semester of the bachelors program in Sustainable Design.
Preferred applicants have documented research experience on sustainable transition and engineering design. We are looking for candidates with a Master of Science in Engineering. Experience from working with Danish businesses and public authorities is an advantage. The successful candidate must have a high level of English language and communication skills both in writing and verbally. Experience with problem-based learning project supervision and coordination of teaching activities is an advantage. Teaching experience in a broad range of courses on both bachelor and master level related to sustainability engineering design and circular economy is expected.

You can read more on Department of Sustainability and Planning here

You may obtain further professional information from Andrés Felipe Valderrama Pineda

Qualification requirements
Appointment as a research assistant requires academic qualifications at masters degree level.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application stating reasons for applying qualifications in relation to the position and intentions and visions for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (masters degree diploma and potentialPhD diploma)
• List of publications. Youmay attach a maximum of 5 publications (optional). If you are applying for a position at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) you must submit a co-author statement see template for co-author statement
• Documentation of teaching qualifications (optional). Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine or guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. If this is not enclosed the applicant must enclose the reasons for this.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position
• References/recommendations

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.

The application must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg Universitys website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore everyone regardless of personal background and orientation is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions
If you have any questions about the position you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires ensuring the safety compliance and integrity of the workplace.

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers students and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights new solutions to societal problems and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.