Two DTU Tenure Track Assistant Professors in Autonomous Modelling and in Robotic Synthesis of Energy Materials - DTU Energy

These positions will play a key role in shaping the computational and experimental pillars of our closed-loop discovery platforms that integrates artificial intelligence, physics-based modelling, automated experimentation, advanced characterization, and data-driven decision making. We seek outstanding candidates in (i) AI-enhanced multiscale materials modelling and (ii) autonomous materials synthesis and robotics.

As the successful candidate, you will develop innovative research programs spanning atomistic and mesoscopic materials simulations, machine learning, foundation and surrogate models, robotics, autonomous synthesis, and self-driving experimentation. You will work closely with other scientists in the department, and you will be deeply involved in projects such as MaterialsCommons for Europe, the Pioneer Center CAPeX, and the NNF Center BRIGHT at DTU.

Your research topics can include sustainable battery materials and cells, electrochemical interfaces, catalysts, photovoltaics, corrosion, and other advanced functional materials relevant to the green transition.

You will get unique opportunities to shape a rapidly growing interdisciplinary research environment, build international collaborations, attract external funding, supervise talented students, and contribute to education at all levels.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We value diversity and encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to submit their applications. We strongly believe that fostering diversity in the research environment enhances creativity and promotes transdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately contributing to the successful execution of excellent research and innovation. We are striving to build a vibrant team that reflects our commitment to excellence, diversity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

To be considered for the position you must have earned a PhD degree in computer science, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related area and have a documented record of excellence in scientific research, including publications in top-ranked and field-relevant journals, and/or patent applications and/or presentations at significant conferences. Documented experience in teaching and supervision is also expected.

Furthermore, we imagine that you have a strong theoretical or experimental background and substantial research experience in computational or experimental approaches for designing, discovering, synthesizing or characterizing advanced materials, preferably combined with a strong expertise in AI-accelerated materials discovery, e.g., self-driving labs, machine learning, graph-based models, generative AI, data-driven modelling, or workflows. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to, workflows, closed-loop materials synthesis, characterization and modelling with atomic, multi-scale, and machine learning approaches to understand complex material. 

In addition, the ideal candidate for each of the two positions should have the following expertise:

• Multiscale Modelling: Experience in bridging atomistic and multiscale modelling methods and integrating them with machine learning for computational materials design and discovery. Experience in working with inorganic and/or organic energy materials, electrochemical interfaces, multi-modal/sourced/fidelity or experimental datasets, and (autonomous) workflows bridging simulations and experiments will be viewed favourably.
•  Autonomous synthesis and testing: Experience with the synthesis and test of organic or inorganic energy materials, as well as working with AI-orchestrated self-driving laboratories with (semi) closed-loop materials discovery, e.g., Bayesian Optimization, autonomous analysis of patterns, spectral data or cell-level testing. Experience with predictive control of the synthesis robotics and reaction conditions and materials innovation in energy systems, emphasizing the design and synthesis of complex inorganic/organic architectures, functional surfaces, or nanoparticles, e.g., for batteries, electrocatalysis or materials degradation.

You must be responsible for the teaching of courses. 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.

As formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

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

• Experience and quality of teaching 
• Research experience 
• Research vision and potential
• 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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures 

The expected starting date is 1 December 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

The position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Head of Section, Prof. Ivano E. Castelli ([email protected]) or Director of CAPeX, Prof. Tejs Vegge ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Energy www.energy.dtu.dk.

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 21 August 2026 (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)
• Vision for teaching and research for the tenure track period (max 3 pages)
• CV including employment history, list of publications, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience 
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)
• Letters of reference (minimum 2)

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.

CAPeX is a 13-year and 300 MDKK “Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery”, funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University (AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, AAU, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and other open positions at www.capex-p2x.com.

The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) focuses on research and development of functional materials, components, and systems for sustainable energy technologies. The technologies include fuel cells, electrolysis, power-to-x, batteries, and carbon capture. The research is based on strong competences on electrochemistry, atomic scale and multi-physics modelling, autonomous materials discovery, materials processing, and structural analyses. We also focus on educating engineering students at all levels, ranging from BSc, MSc, PhD to lifelong learning students. We have about 300 dedicated employees. Read more about us at www.energy.dtu.dk.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.