Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Multiphysics Simulation and Design Optimisation

SDU International; Odense; On-site; DKK 630,000 - 780,000; Full time

Job summary

SDU Mechanical Engineering invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Multiphysics Simulation and Design Optimisation at the main campus in Odense, Denmark. The position is available from 1 January 2027.

You will join the MSOE group, contributing to teaching and supervision in mechanical engineering. You will develop independent research, apply for national and international grants, and contribute to the education programs in both bachelor and master programs.

Qualifications

• Completed a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline.
• Ability to teach basic mechanical engineering curricula.
• English communication for research and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Teach mechanical engineering courses and supervise students.
• Develop an independent research profile with international visibility.
• Apply for national and international research grants.
• Collaborate with industry and contribute to research projects.

Skills

Multiphysics

Topology optimisation

Scientific programming

High-performance computing

English proficiency

Education

PhD degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

SDU Mechanical Engineering invites applications for Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Multiphysics Simulation and Design Optimisation. SDU ME is part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, located at the main campus in Odense. The position is available from 1 January 2027 and the specific start date will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

Application deadline: 1 September 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 CET/CEST.

What we offer

You will join the “Multiphysics Simulation, Optimisation, and Experimentation” (MSOE) research group and contribute to current projects as well as defining new independent research directions. You are expected to apply for your own grants and contribute to applications together with the group and collaborators. You must be able to compete for national and international research grants.

You will contribute with competence and dedication to teaching and student supervision in mechanical engineering at SDU ME, actively contributing to our two educational programmes: Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor and Masters of Science. Our programmes are a combination of theory courses and projects, and you will be involved in both activities.

The tenure‑track programme at the Faculty of Engineering includes structured annual follow‑up, a formal mid‑term evaluation, and support for developing an independent research profile, teaching competences, and external funding trajectory. A mentor and onboarding support will be arranged in accordance with SDU and faculty procedures.

Research environment and workplace

The “Multiphysics Simulation, Optimisation, and Experimentation” (MSOE) research group is led by Assc. Prof. Joe Alexandersen at SDU ME. The research of the MSOE group focuses on advanced simulation and optimisation methods for multiphysics, thermomechanical, fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer problems, as well as experimental investigations and validation.

The research activities at SDU ME span widely from fluid mechanics and heat transfer, multiphysics simulation and optimisation, to condition monitoring and structural dynamics, composite materials, mechanical design, and maritime structures. SDU ME is part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, which covers high‑frequency electronics, microelectronics, batteries and super‑capacitors, additive manufacturing, smart structures and energy technologies. The department offers a multidisciplinary environment where you will be exposed to many fields and have your academic curiosity stimulated.

The position is full‑time and located at the SDU main campus in Odense. Given the research, teaching and collaborative nature of the position, you are expected to be present on campus on a regular basis and to relocate to Denmark if currently residing abroad.

SDU Odense is the university’s largest campus and provides a strong framework for interdisciplinary research, teaching and innovation. You will be part of a modern workplace with high professionalism, strong academic communities and a commitment to diversity and equal opportunities. SDU also offers dedicated support for International Staff.

What we expect

We seek candidates within mechanical engineering with documented research experience in one or more of the following fields:

• Numerical methods for multiphysics simulation
• Method development in topology optimisation
• Scientific programming, preferably in Python and/or MATLAB and/or C++
• High‑performance computing

You must have:

• Completed a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline
• The ability to teach basic mechanical engineering curricula
• Communication skills in English at an adequate level for research communication and teaching

It is preferred that you also have experience from or with:

• Postdoctoral research positions
• Co‑supervision of Ph.D. students
• Teaching and course development
• Funding applications
• Collaboration with industrial partners

During the tenure‑track period, you are expected to develop an independent, internationally visible research profile; publish high‑quality research outputs; contribute to attracting external research funding; develop documented teaching and supervision competences, including completion of the Lecturer Training Programme; and contribute actively to collaboration, knowledge exchange and the academic environment at SDU Mechanical Engineering.

Further information

For more information about the position, contact Head of Section Associate Professor Dorte Smedegaard Schmidt (phone [phone], email [e-mail]) or Associate Professor Joe Alexandersen (phone [phone], email [e-mail]).

For more information about SDU ME, please see https://www.sdu.dk/da/mechanical.

For more information about IME, please see https://www.sdu.dk/en/ime.

Application

Applicants are advised to read SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Motivated application (up to 2 pages).
• Complete Curriculum Vitae (up to 4 pages).
• Master’s and Ph.D. degree certificates or equivalents (original and an official English translation).
• Complete list of publications.
• Up to 10 publications most relevant to the position.
• Teaching portfolio documenting teaching, learning and supervision qualifications and approach. Any format is acceptable.
• A proposed research plan (up to 4 pages).
• References or reference letters may be included.
• A statement or documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

Tenure Track at the Faculty of Engineering, SDU

The Faculty of Engineering at SDU offers an attractive tenure track programme aimed at the most talented scholars who have established a high level in their current research and other professional work, and those who possess exceptional potential to achieve the highest international level within their research area.

Candidates enter at the assistant professor level and, upon successful completion, will be promoted to a permanent position as associate professor, subject to a positive assessment by an expert committee. Indicators of relevant scholarly merits include documented independent scholarly output, groundbreaking publications, achievement of excellence grants and an international research network.

The programme includes annual performance reviews, a midterm evaluation by an expert panel and a final academic assessment. If the final assessment is positive, the candidate will progress to a permanent position as associate professor. If the final evaluation is negative, the assistant professor may request one additional assessment within the last six months of employment. The tenure‑track period may be extended in connection with maternity, paternity or adoption leave.

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Employment terms

Appointment as a tenure‑track assistant professor is temporary and for an initial 4‑year period, with guaranteed assessment for a permanent position as associate professor during the final year of employment. The preferred start date is from 1 January 2027 or soon thereafter.

During employment, the tenure‑track assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme.

Employment as a tenure‑track assistant professor requires academic qualifications at a minimum of PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state, including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for tenure‑track assistant professor as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender‑neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities and qualification requirements. As an applicant you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self‑organizer”.

Equality and inclusion

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).