Postdoctoral position in circular design and business development

The Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Circular Design and Business Development. The position is a fixed-term, full-time appointment (37 hours per week) for 38 months, from 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is based in Aalborg, Denmark.

Project Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to contribute to the research projects RE:circulate and PROLONGing, both funded under Innovation Fund Denmark’s mission-driven initiatives within circular plastics and textiles.
The projects are carried out in close collaboration with industrial and societal partners and aim to develop, test, and implement innovative circular concepts and business models that reduce textile consumption, ex-tend product lifetimes, and support the transition towards a circular economy. Particular emphasis is placed on designing solutions that respond to local market needs and support different circular strategies, including reuse, repair, refurbishment, and product life extension.
The successful candidate will contribute to research activities spanning circular design, business model in-novation, value creation, stakeholder engagement, and the development and validation of methods and tools for circular transitions.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• A PhD degree in Design, Product Development, Engineering Design, or a related field.
• Documented research experience within product lifecycle management, circular design, circular business model development, and value proposition design.
• Experience working with sustainability and circular economy initiatives in a private-sector context.
• A strong track record of participation in interdisciplinary research and innovation projects.
• Experience developing, testing, and validating methods, data frameworks, and prototypes.
• Experience collaborating with universities, private companies, and public-sector organisations at national and international levels.
• Strong project coordination skills and the ability to ensure progress across complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to interdisciplinary teams.
• Well-developed visual communication and graphic facilitation skills.

About the Department

The Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering offers a dynamic research and educational environment with a strong focus on addressing societal challenges related to the green transition, digitalisation, and health.
Our research is characterised by close collaboration with industry and public-sector partners, ensuring that new knowledge and technological developments are firmly grounded in real-world needs and create tangible societal impact.
The department educates Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and Master of Science in Engineering students and hosts a broad portfolio of internationally recognised research activities.
The position will be affiliated with the Research Group for Production and Mechatronics: https://mpe.au.dk/om-instituttet/sektioner/manufacturing-and-mechatronics

We Offer

• Access to well-established research infrastructure, laboratories, and shared facilities.
• An inspiring interdisciplinary research environment with extensive national, international, and in-dustrial collaborations.
• A supportive research culture characterised by open dialogue, academic freedom, and critical reflec-tion.
• Opportunities for professional development and active participation in leading circular economy ini-tiatives.
• A collegial workplace with strong collaboration, networking opportunities, and social activities.
• A work environment that values professionalism, diversity, equality, and work-life balance.

Place of Work

The position is associated with two permanent workplace locations in Aarhus and Aalborg.
The primary workplace will be in Aalborg, with regular activities in Aarhus. The expected distribution is ap-proximately 1–2 days per month in Aarhus and the remaining working days in Aalborg, subject to agree-ment with the immediate manager.
Aarhus: Katrinebjergvej 89 G-F, 8200 Aarhus N
Aalborg: Fredrik Bajers Vej 300, 9220 Aalborg Ø

Contact

Professor Louise Møller Haase
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +45 61 46 93 72

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than Monday, 3 August 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.