Postdoc in Ferroelectric switching of surface chemistry

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Materials and Production a position as Postdoc in Growth of Ferroelectric Catalytic Thin Films is open for appointment from 01.04.2026 or soon thereafter. The position is available for a period of 2 years.

Your work tasks    
The position is part of the CAPeX Pioneer Center, funded by Villum  Fonden, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, Lundbeck Fonden, and the Danish National Research Foundation, who aim to advance materials development for Power-to-X. The successful candidate will be part of the CAPeX Academy together with 100 PhDs and postdocs.

The Postdoc will conduct research on ferroelectric thin films to obtain switchable surface adsorption energies in photo electrocatalytic cycles, seeking to enhance water splitting. The work will include growth and characterization of thin film systems, searching for new ferroelectrics and optimizing interfaces between layers. The characterization includes polarization switching and photocatalytic effects.

The Postdoc will collaborate with colleagues at AAU Department of Materials and Production as well as other research groups in Denmark and internationally, who participate in the project. In addition, the Postdoc will contribute to teaching and student supervision, as well as to the dissemination of research results through peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.

Your competencies   
The applicant must hold a PhD in a relevant field, such as physics, chemistry or materials science, with expertise in thin film growth and characterization. The ideal candidate should have a strong research interest in materials for the green energy transition. The successful applicant must be proficient in English, possess strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and be able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

The applicant should have documented research experiences in growth of thin films and characterization using standard techniques such as electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction. Some experience with electrochemical characterization of electrodes will be an advantage.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level. 

Who we are    

The Department of Materials and Production (MP) is a wide-ranging research and educational environment at Aalborg University. The Department's mission is to meet the future's demands for new materials and production systems by directing the whole value chain from basic material understanding to materials' applications in mechanical construction, industrial production, and management. The department has several strong, international, and innovative research groups that comprise everything from basic science to strategic and applied research. The activities encompass research and education within materials, mechanics, physics, production, and industrial management and innovation.

Several innovative and unconventional collaborations have been and are being developed through interdisciplinary cooperation, benefiting the industry and additional collaborators. As an employee at the department, you will become part of an international research environment focusing on innovation, knowledge sharing/building, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The Postdoc will be positioned in the section of Physics and Mechanics. The research activities in the Physics group cover many aspects of astrophysics, solid state physics, materials and optics. Both fundamental and applied research is carried out with a strong focus on optical physics and laser spectroscopy, surface physics, solar cells and materials for electronic components. Particular attention is given to nanoscale materials since nanostructures often have unexpected properties in comparison with their bulk counterpart induced by their geometry and reduced dimensions.

The Department’s activities are supported by world-class laboratories. Specifically in relation to this position we have facilities for synthesis and characterization of materials covering the range from the atomic scale in the cleanroom and materials labs to fabrication of components and devices. Read more here.

You can read more about AAU Materials and Production at: Department of Materials and Production - Aalborg University.  


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 (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications.
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. 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. . If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• 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 University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's 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 Professor Kjeld Pedersen: kp@mp.aau.dk, phone +4599409220. 

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).