Fixed-term, full-time position (3 years), starting 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Modern manufacturing is increasingly dependent on robust, adaptable, and data-driven production systems that can cope with uncertainty while supporting sustainable value creation. If you want to contribute to the next generation of resilient, service-oriented, and digitally enabled manufacturing systems in close collaboration with industry, you may be the new colleague we are looking for at the Department of Materials and Production at Aalborg University.

Your work tasks

As Assistant Professor in Resilient Manufacturing Systems, you will be part of the Sustainable Manufacturing Systems research group in the Section of Production at the Department of Materials and Production on the Aalborg campus. The group focuses on developing methods, models, and digital solutions that enable companies to design, plan, and operate robust, reconfigurable, and sustainable manufacturing and value chain systems.

Your primary responsibility will be to carry out high-quality research within data-driven and model-based manufacturing systems engineering. You will work on developing innovative concepts and methods for resilient production, with particular attention to services, distributed value networks, and advanced decision support. A central focus of the position is to integrate artificial intelligence, systems modelling, and digital architectures in ways that support operations management and strategic decision-making in manufacturing companies.

You will be expected to build and maintain an independent research profile in areas such as Manufacturing-as-a-Service, orchestration of integrated value networks and manufacturing systems, and joint modelling of products, platforms, and production systems. This includes identifying and pursuing external research funding through national and international programmes as well as industrial collaborations. Producing visible research output in leading international journals and conferences is a key part of the position, and you will be encouraged to take an active role in international research networks, workshops, and consortia.

Collaboration with industry is an integral part of the role. You will contribute to applied research and innovation projects that support digital transformation, data-driven production management, and sustainable manufacturing solutions in close dialogue with industrial partners. This involves both long-term strategic collaborations and shorter, focused projects where you help companies explore and implement new production concepts.

Teaching is an important part of the position. You will contribute to bachelor and master programmes within, for example, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Global Business Engineering and the Master’s programmes in Management Engineering. Your teaching will typically cover topics related to manufacturing systems, operations management, production planning, and digitalisation of industry. You will be responsible for planning, delivering, and continuously updating course activities, and you will supervise project work and theses at both bachelor’s and master’s level in line with Aalborg University’s problem-based learning model, where students work in project groups with real-world problems in close contact with companies and society.

In addition, you will take part in the department’s academic service and administration. This includes contributing to curriculum development, quality assurance of programmes, participation in committees and working groups, and engagement in strategic initiatives across the department. You will collaborate with colleagues across research groups and sections to ensure coherent teaching programmes and strong links between research and education.

Your competencies

You hold a PhD in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Management Engineering, or a closely related field, and you have a clear research potential within resilient and data-driven manufacturing systems. You have carried out postdoctoral research or equivalent research activities after your PhD, which means that you can document a growing scientific profile through publications in recognised international journals and conferences.

Scientifically, you have experience in one or more of the following areas: design and planning of resilient manufacturing and value chain systems, including robustness, adaptability, and uncertainty management; orchestration of integrated value networks and manufacturing systems across distributed or platform-based production environments; service-based production concepts such as Manufacturing-as-a-Service and platform-enabled production ecosystems; modular product and platform design that supports scalability, customisation, and integration between product and production system design; reconfigurable manufacturing systems including design, planning, and adaptation strategies; integrated modelling of products, product architectures, and production systems; and sustainable manufacturing systems that address environmental and resource-related challenges alongside operational performance.

You are comfortable working with data-driven and model-based approaches to manufacturing systems engineering. This may include optimisation and simulation models, digital twins, operations research methods, or artificial intelligence and analytics for production planning and control. You can bridge conceptual and methodological work with practical applications in industrial settings, and you are motivated by translating research results into solutions that create value for companies and society.

You communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing, and you enjoy presenting your work to academic as well as industrial audiences. You have teaching experience at university level and are ready to further develop your teaching portfolio within problem-based learning in engineering education. You can design and run courses, supervise student projects, and give constructive feedback that supports the development of students’ analytical and collaborative skills.

Collaboration is central in this role. You are curious, open, and constructive in your interaction with colleagues and external partners, and you value a collegial environment where knowledge is shared and discussed. You are able to work independently and take responsibility for your own projects, but you also see yourself as part of a research group where results are created together. Experience with industry collaboration, external funding applications, and participation in research consortia is an advantage. If you do not already speak Danish, you are willing to engage with the local context and, over time, to acquire a basic understanding of the language to better integrate with colleagues, students, and partners.

Appointment as Assistant Professor requires scientific qualifications at PhD level or equivalent, and in the overall assessment, emphasis will be placed on your documented research potential, your ability to contribute to the research group’s profile, and your teaching experience and motivation for working with problem-based learning.

Who we are

The Department of Materials and Production at the Faculty of Engineering and Science is a broad research and educational environment that addresses the entire value chain from fundamental material understanding to industrial production and management. The department brings together strong international research groups within materials, mechanics, physics, production technologies, robotics, industrial management, and innovation. A common feature across these environments is a close connection between research, education, and collaboration with industry.

The Sustainable Manufacturing Systems research group, in which this position is placed, focuses on future manufacturing systems that are resilient, flexible, and sustainable. The group works with manufacturing system design, planning and control, digitalisation and data analytics, platform-based production, and integration between product and production system architectures. Laboratory facilities and digital testbeds support experimental and applied work, and many projects are carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners, both in Denmark and internationally.

You will become part of a work environment characterised by openness, collaboration, and a high level of professionalism. We prioritise knowledge sharing, joint project development, and a collegial atmosphere where there is room for ideas at different stages of maturity. Aalborg University has a distinctive problem-based learning model, which influences both the way we teach and the way we interact with companies and society. As an academic staff member, you will be part of a university that values the interplay between research, education, and outreach.

Aalborg is a modern and vibrant city in northern Denmark with a strong engineering and industrial ecosystem, a growing innovation and start-up scene, and easy access to both urban life and nature. The city offers high-quality public services, a rich cultural life, and a family-friendly environment. For international candidates, the university provides language courses, support with relocation and practical matters, and an inclusive international community that helps you settle in both professionally and personally.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.

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

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). 

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

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

• Research Group Leader Kjeld Nielsen: kni@mp.aau.dk

Employment type

Full time

Ref number

2026/875

Deadline

30.09.2026