Postdoc in Materials Science: Molten Salts as Reaction Media

The Materials Science & Engineering Center at the Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering is looking for a postdoctoral research fellow to investigate the formation of intermetallic phases and reduced metal halides.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 12-month employment (with the possibility of extension) from 1 September 2026 or as soon possible thereafter.

Job description

• You will investigate the formation of intermetallic phases and reduced metal halides and other compounds in molten salts.
• You will determine the formation and reactivity of intermetallics and metal salts in molten salts
• You will determine the materials structure by X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy-
• You will establish, preferably also by computational methods, structure-property relationships.
• You will operate advanced analytical instrumentation, run experiments, collect, analyse and interpret data.
• You will communicate the results in form of scientific publications and presentations.
• You will participate in teaching materials science and engineering and actively engage with students.
• You will be involved in scientific communication and outreach activities.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in materials science and engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics or nanoscience or similar.

You have to be:

• experienced in materials synthesis
• experienced in materials structure characterization.
• experienced in materials property analysis.
• experienced in scientific communication such as publishing scientific work in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• pro-active, structured, hardworking, and solution oriented.
• able to collaborate in a dynamic working environment and interact with many different cultures and professional groups.
• fluent in spoken and written English.

of advantage is:

• to have experience in solid state synthesis such as high temperature reactions, arc melting and chemical vapor transport synthesis under controlled conditions (inert gas, vacuum).
• to have experience in the growth of single crystals.
• to have experience in working with molten salts.
• to have experience in determining magnetic and electronic transport properties of solids.
• to be versed in computational materials science such as DFT calculations.

Who we are

The Materials Science & Engineering Center is part of the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, which is a vibrant, collaborative, and international research community.
The newly established center comprises state-of-the art facilities for materials synthesis and processing together with laboratories hosting a large variety of instruments for materials characterization.
Aarhus University is committed to fostering an inspiring and inclusive work environment. Aarhus University offers a wide range of services to support international researchers and their families, including relocation assistance.

What we offer

We offer:

• a well-developed research infrastructure with state-of-the art laboratories and instrumentation
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is at Åbogade 40, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Anja-Verena Mudring, Se telefonnummer på nature.com, email: Se e-mailadresse på nature.com.

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 24 July 2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation .

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.