Head of Research Operations for the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center

Are you ready to join our mission and a world-class science team to make a global impact in climate change mitigation? Do you have a passion for research in CO2 capture and conversion technologies and can you contribute to the development and coordination of research at the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) at Aarhus University? We are looking for a Head of Research Operations from 1 March, 2025, or as soon as possible.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a permanent position starting on 1 March 2025 or as soon as possible.

Job description
The Head of Research Operations, will be:

• Leading the development of the center’s research portfolio platform
• Be the people leader of 2-4 scientific coordinators and research administrators
• Drive coordination between the research groups within the Center, facilitating new collaborations, and maintaining Center coherence
• Exploring new directions and new science and technologies opportunities for innovative CO2 capture and conversion, in collaboration with research leaders and supported by you and your team
• Developing and driving interdisciplinary collaboration
• Coordinating and writing large grant proposals (e.g. for Horizon Europe)
• Assist in assessing research proposals submitted to CORC

The Head of Research Operations is a newly established position and will be a key member of the Center’s core team.

The position provides a degree of freedom to develop the role of Head of Research Operations over time. Examples of expected areas of responsibilities:

• Leading team to ensure motivation and development, including close team-of-teams collaboration across the center core team
• Developing and organizing interdisciplinary collaboration across the center’s research groups
• Developing and managing a research project portfolio management platform.
• Leading coordinating activities (e.g. ensuring preparation and leadership of meetings across the research groups)
• Responsible for reporting scientific results to the foundation (e.g. Annual Report)
• Developing a tactical implementation for external funding efforts according to the CORC mission-based strategy

Your profile
You have a relevant scientific background and preferably a PhD in natural sciences or engineering. You are experienced in developing and leading larger scientific projects or programmes in academia or industry. You have at least 3-5 years leadership experience and you are recognized as a motivating and empathetic leader by your team members. You are a strong and clear communicator in English in both writing and speaking, fitting easily into an international environment. You have high technical as well as strong motivational, interpersonal skills and possess a high degree of creativity and independence.
Experience with leading interdisciplinary collaboration and building a community is a further advantage.

Who we are
The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) was established in 2022 and is a mission‐oriented center based at Aarhus University. The center’s purpose is to develop novel science and early technologies for carbon capture and conversion for storage or utilization. The Center comprises 15+ research groups at Aarhus University and Stanford University (US), University of Tübingen (DE), University of Copenhagen (DK) and Technical University of Denmark (DK). In total, the center encompasses more than 50 researchers.
You will be part of the CORC headquarter team at Aarhus University, consisting of 10+ engaged colleagues.

See more on here.

What we offer
At CORC we offer:

• a key position for the development of CORC as an interdisciplinary center that delivers scientific impact
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international, and industrial collaborators
• a work environment encouraging lively, open, and critical discussion
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking, and social activities
• a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and a work-life balance

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is at Gustav Wieds Vej 10c, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Head of Operations, Anita Friis Sommer at [email protected].

Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 5 January 2025.
Interviews are planned to take place during January 2025.

Formalities and salary range
Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

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.

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

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: NNF CO2 Research Center/

Deadline: 05 January 2025

Location: Aarhus C Gustav Wieds Vej 10C