Postdoc positions in Organic Chemistry: developing the next generation super materials for sustainable industrial polymer products
Department of Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Section
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

Several postdoc positions are available at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). Each postdoc position is between 1-3 years, and the positions are in collaboration with the company Nanocore.

Do you want to take part in developing the next generation of super materials that will reduce the weight, material usage and carbon emissions for future industrial products?

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is seeking multiple Postdocs (the postdoctoral candidates will be working in the groups of Prof. Mogens B. Nielsen, Prof. Jørn B. Christensen and Prof. Michael Pittelkow) to drive the scientific advances in a major funded program together with two of the largest and most innovative industrial companies in Denmark, Grundfos and SP Group, and the deep tech materials technology company Nanocore. The project, which is called FUTURPLAST, is supported financially by the Innovation Fund Denmark within the Grand Solutions program.

The project combines advanced material chemistry, polymer science and processing, mechanics of materials and all the way to prototyping in industrial quantities. It is a unique chance to grow as a scientist and at the same time bring your discoveries to use.

ABOUT FUTURPLAST
Global materials use is projected to more than double from 2011 to 2060. More than half of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are related to materials management activities. This must come down. The Danish and European manufacturing industry need to have new competitive materials technologies to face the competition from China and the US and reduce dependencies on imports.

FUTURPLAST will develop a next generation of circular, strong, and light weight materials that will reduce and ultimately replace conventional composites and metals. The materials are based on one of the strongest known fillers, single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT), functionalized with a Danish proprietary technology, LASSO. The CNT will be combined with one of the most common, manufacturable, low CO2 emitting and low-cost polymers, polypropylene (PP) to make a very competitive (strong and light weight) new material.

The work will span across organic and supramolecular chemistry, polymer science and advanced material mechanics combined with Nanocore's scientific staff and industrialisation know-how from two major Danish industrial companies, Grundfos A/S and SP Group for prototyping experiments. The project will develop a CNT/PP material that is competitive with one of the most used engineering plastics, Polyamide, to reduce cost and GHG emissions. The project will also develop a breakthrough CNT/PP composite stronger than carbon fiber composites leading to dramatic material savings.

WHAT WE ARE SEEKING
Postdocs at the University of Copenhagen:
Required qualifications: Solid experience in organic synthesis, macromolecular/intermolecular interactions, or dynamic covalent chemistry.

General qualifications:
For all positions we are seeking bright and open-minded people that are experts within their fields but also have a strong cross-disciplinary scientific interest.

Desired qualifications: Solid experience in wet chemistry, and strong in several of the following areas: i) Materials' mechanical properties and -testing, ii) Polymer science, iii) organic synthesis, v) Macromolecular interactions, vi) Thermodynamics, vii) Polymerization kinetics, viii) Molecular structure-materials property relationship, x) Dynamic covalent bonds, xi) Nanomaterials and nanocomposites, xii) nanomaterials' analysis (e.g. Raman, TEM, SEM, X-Ray).

The postdoc’s duties will include research within organic and materials chemistry as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://chem.ku.dk/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Michael Pittelkow ([email protected]), Prof. Mogens Brøndsted Nielsen ([email protected]) or Prof. Jørn B. Christensen ([email protected])

The positions are open from October 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Minimum two scientific references (not letters, just names and contact information)
• Complete publication list

The deadline for applications is 7 July 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 07-07-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-10-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Chemistry