Do you want to work with glass materials for reliable and circular power electronics? And do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our PhD Stipend.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a PhD stipend is available within the general study program. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 01.09.2026 or shortly thereafter. The position is for 3 years, and the workplace is in Aalborg.

Your work tasks
A PhD stipend is available in the field of glass materials for reliable and circular power electronics. The position focuses on developing and validating new glass compositions that can serve as recyclable, high-reliability substrates for next-generation power electronic circuits. These should be an alternative to today’s FR4 and ceramic boards. You will help demonstrate how tailored glass can improve performance during operation while also enabling design-for-disassembly and recycling at end-of-life.
In this role, you will explore and optimize promising glass compositions suitable for use as power-electronics substrates, connecting composition and structure to relevant functional properties through computer simulations. The project also includes validation of materials in the lab and translating the findings into practical recommendations for use in real power-electronics environments. The project involves close collaboration across disciplines: materials chemistry, electronic packaging, and power electronics.
As a PhD student, you will join the Glass Structure and Mechanics Group and be supervised by Professor Morten M. Smedskjær. The group offers a vibrant research environment, featuring cutting-edge computational and experimental facilities and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. The Ph.D. project is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy project “GRACE – Glass for Reliable and Circular Power Electronics”, which is headed by Associate Professor Ariya Sangwongwanich from AAU Energy. The prospective Ph.D. student will be co-supervised by Associate Professor Hongbo Zhao (AAU Energy) and collaborate with other Ph.D. students and Postdocs in the host research group, who are working on related projects.

Your competencies 

• A master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, materials, physics, or a closely related field.
• Experience with glass science, material processing, and/or atomistic simulations is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills and proficiency in scientific programming (e.g. in python) are an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written English language skills.
• Strong collaborative skills, team spirit, yet the ability to work independently.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Who we are    
At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 150 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us! 
Read more about the department here; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - en.bio.aau.dk - Aalborg University

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades) 
• Other relevant documents

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 us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information  
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

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 

Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science

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).

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) (in Danish) 

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 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.

Contacts

• Morten Mattrup Smedskjær: +4599403578, mos@bio.aau.dk
• AAU PhD: vkns@adm.aau.dk

Employment type

Full time

Ref number

2026/215

Deadline

26.02.2026