Assistant Professor in CERN-Related Physics and Detector Development

Aarhus University; Aarhus; Hybrid; DKK 600,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University in Denmark invites applications for a 2-year Assistant Professor position in experimental CERN-related physics, with a possible extension to 3 years. The successful candidate will lead detector development for CERN experiments and contribute to expanding the department’s CERN-related research portfolio.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Physics, has demonstrated independent, high-level research capability, teaching experience, and the ability to collaborate internationally,

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD in Physics or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research at high international level.
• Documented teaching and supervision experience at university level.
• Strong potential to establish an independent research programme and international collaborations.
• Effective communication in English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead research activities in detector development for CERN-based experiments.
• Develop research areas including ALICE ITS3 or FoCal, ISOLDE related work, and LumiCal for FCC.
• Engage in local, national and international collaborations and supervise students.

Skills

Independent research

Teaching experience

Collaboration

English communication

Education

PhD in Physics

Job description

Assistant Professor in CERN-Related Physics and Detector Development

The Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a 2-year Assistant Professor position, possibly extendable to 3 years, in experimental CERN-related physics.

The Department aims to strengthen and further develop its research activities within experimental physics related to CERN. The Department has long-standing expertise in CERN-related physics, with research activities in anti-hydrogen physics, low-energy nuclear physics, and strong-field quantum electrodynamics. More recently, the Department has expanded its research portfolio to include relativistic heavy-ion physics. The new Assistant Professor will contribute to this effort by strengthening the Department’s activities in detector development for CERN experiments while creating synergies with the activities of the existing CERN-related physics research group.

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is available from February 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is a 2-year fixed-term position ending on January 31st, 2029, possibly extendable by 1 year.

Job description

The successful candidate is expected to establish and lead research activities in detector development for CERN-based experiments. Relevant research areas include high-energy nuclear physics (ALICE, e.g., ITS3 or FoCal), including associated data analysis tools and readout electronics, low-energy nuclear physics at ISOLDE (e.g., the ISOLDE Decay Station, IDS), and the development of the Luminosity Calorimeter (LumiCal) for the Future Circular Collider (FCC). The position is funded under the national CERN lighthouse initiative to strengthen Denmark's engagement with CERN, https://phys.au.dk/dirac-center.

Your profile

• Hold a PhD in Physics or a closely related field
• Have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent research at high international level
• Have documented experience in teaching and supervision at university level and an ambition to strengthen these competences e.g. through taking on the responsibility of a physics course at the department and completing the university pedagogical programme
• Demonstrate strong potential to establish an independent research programme
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in local, national and international research collaborations
• Be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing

Who we are

The Department of Physics and Astronomy (IFA) is part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Aarhus University. We conduct excellent, internationally recognized research across a broad range of fields within physics and astronomy and provide research-based education at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. The Department is home to a vibrant community of researchers, technical and administrative staff, PhD students, and undergraduate and graduate students who all contribute to a dynamic and inspiring environment.

The Department conducts excellent research at the highest international level, with several research areas among the world elite. Our researchers participate in numerous international collaborations with leading universities, research institutions, and large-scale research facilities, including CERN.

Read more about the Department of Physics and Astronomy at: https://phys.au.dk/en.

What we offer

The successful candidate will join an ambitious, international and collaborative research environment with strong support for both professional and personal development. The Department offers excellent opportunities to develop an independent research profile, establish new collaborations, and contribute to the education and supervision of students at all levels. We foster an inclusive working culture characterized by openness, mutual respect, and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Head of Department, Professor Ulrik Ingerslev Uggerhøj, phone [phone], email [e-mail].

Deadline

The application deadline is November 6th, 2026

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment.

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation .

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

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.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website , you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

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