Are you interested in using advanced control methods to address one of the major climate challenges of our time, namely the decarbonisation of lime and cement production? We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the ICaRUS project at the section Automation and Control, Department of Electronic Systems, The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Aalborg University.

The position is full time and available for a period of 18 months, from October 1, 2026, or soon hereafter.

In electronic engineering, Aalborg University is known worldwide for its high academic quality and societal impact. The Department of Electronic Systems employs more than 200 people, of which about 90 are PhD students, and about 40 % of all employees are internationals. In total, it has more than 600 students in its BSc and MSc programs, which are based on AAU's problem-based learning model. The department leverages its unique research infrastructure and lab facilities to conduct world-leading fundamental and applied research within communication, networks, control systems, AI, sound, cyber security, and robotics. The department plays an active role in transferring inventions and results into applications in close collaboration with industrial partners worldwide. You can read more about the department at www.es.aau.dk.

Your work tasks

You will be part of the ICaRUS project (Integrated e-Calcination and CO2-Removal Utilizing Sustainable Electricity), which addresses the significant climate impact of lime and cement production. The project develops and demonstrates a 0.5 MW pilot system for electrified calcination with integrated CO2 capture in a Vertical Electrical Shaft Kiln, powered by renewable electricity and operated through an e-Transformer that enables direct grid integration and dynamic operation.

Your primary role will be to develop and implement optimal control solutions for this process. You will contribute to the development of a mock-up dynamic model of the complete system, building on models developed by project partners. The model will represent the main structure of the process, including thermal behaviour and gas flows, key dynamics of the system apparatus, sensor and actuator dynamics, and relevant thermal and chemical characteristics of both the Vertical Electrical Shaft Kiln and the e-Transformer.

Based on this model, you will design, analyse and evaluate control concepts for the pilot system. The model will be used for dynamic simulation, allowing you to explore control strategies that can handle time-varying energy profiles in the kiln and disturbances such as varying limestone quality and fluctuating energy availability, for instance due to load balancing requirements. Model parameters will be continuously updated using measured and estimated data from the physical pilot plant, providing a foundation for increasingly accurate controller design.

A central part of your work will be the development and assessment of advanced control structures and control methods that ensure robust and efficient operation of the 0.5 MW pilot system. You will evaluate your control designs on a high-fidelity model before they are implemented on the physical pilot system towards the end of the project.

In addition to your research tasks, you will take part in minor teaching activities and supervision of students within relevant topics in control and automation. You will work closely with colleagues in Automation and Control, other partners in the ICaRUS consortium and relevant industrial stakeholders, and you will be expected to disseminate your results through scientific publications and presentations.

Your competencies

You hold a PhD in Control Engineering, Cyber-Physical Systems, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field, and you have a solid foundation in control theory and dynamic systems. You have experience with control structures and advanced control methods and are comfortable working with mathematical models of complex technical processes. Experience with modelling of thermo-chemical or process systems, including thermal behaviour and gas flows, will be an advantage, as will experience with integrating models and controllers with measurement and actuator systems.

You are able to work systematically with dynamic models for simulation, analysis and control design, and you are motivated by developing and implementing model-based control solutions that must perform reliably in a real pilot-scale system. You can use relevant numerical and programming tools to develop, analyse and validate models and control schemes, and you are comfortable working with measurement data for model refinement and performance assessment.

Experience from collaboration in larger research projects or with industrial partners will be considered beneficial, especially in contexts where modelling, control design and experimental work must be coordinated across several organisations and disciplines.

You communicate fluently in English in both writing and speech and are able to present complex technical material clearly to colleagues, partners and students. Knowledge of Danish or another Scandinavian language is an advantage but not a requirement.

As a person, you are independent in your research work, yet collaborative in your approach to projects and shared tasks. You are comfortable working in close interaction with industrial collaborators and other external partners, and you contribute actively to a constructive and respectful research environment. You are prepared to take ownership of your part of the ICaRUS project and to contribute to joint results in a multidisciplinary setting.

Who we are
The Automation and Control section focuses on model-based analysis, design and implementation of control solutions for complex systems, often in collaboration with industry and other research groups. The ICaRUS project provides a unique opportunity to work at the interface between advanced control theory, dynamic modelling and a concrete, large-scale pilot plant that addresses an important societal challenge. You will join a collegial, international and professionally ambitious workplace where knowledge sharing, cooperation and professional curiosity are central values.

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

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 if relevant.
• 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). 

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

• Professor Jakob Stoustrup: jakob@es.aau.dk
• Associate Professor Kirsten Mølgaard Nielsen: kmn@es.aau.dk
• HR Support : Aau-hrsupport@adm.aau.dk

Employment type

Full time

Ref number

2026/935

Deadline

23.07.2026