Postdoc in Chemical Recycling of Textiles

Jobbeskrivelse
Do you want to work with innovative technologies for textile recycling and help shape the future of circular materials in Europe? And do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our position as Postdoc.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a position as Postdoc in chemical recycling of textiles is open for appointment from November 1 2025 or soon hereafter. The position is available for a period of 2 years.

Your work tasks
This Postdoctoral position is part of the STREP project, coordinated by Aalborg University and funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program. The project aims to improve fiber-to-fiber textile recycling across Europe by developing smarter sorting systems, recycling-friendly design guidelines, and advanced recycling technologies. It brings together 13 partners from 8 countries to increase recycling rates and promote circularity in the textile sector.
The Postdoc will be engaged in experimental and analytical work focused on the recycling of textiles through thermochemical and solvent-based processes. A central part of the role involves operating both pyrolysis and solvolysis reactors, as well as conducting experiments using supercritical carbon dioxide. The researcher will be responsible for planning and executing experimental campaigns, including the preparation of textile-based feedstocks, monitoring process conditions, and collecting and interpreting data.
The position also includes performing chemical analyses and characterizations of both feedstocks and reaction products, using appropriate analytical techniques. Based on the experimental findings, the researcher will contribute to identifying cost-efficient recycling approaches for waste textiles.
In addition to laboratory work, the researcher will be expected to document and disseminate research results through written reports, publications, and presentations. Active participation in project meetings and collaborative discussions is also an integral part of the role, as the position is embedded in a larger interdisciplinary research project.

Your competencies
The ideal candidate will have

• A master’s degree in chemical engineering and PhD in a related field
  • Hands-on experience in thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis or solvolysis
  • Excellent skills in planning and executing experimental campaigns, including feedstock preparation, process monitoring, and data collection.
  • A solid background in chemical analysis and material characterization is required, with proficiency in techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.
  • Experience within supercritical CO2 is considered an advantage

Contacts

• Associate Professor Morten Enggrob Simonsen: +4599403566,
• HR Support:

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.

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).

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).

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.

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here

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.

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.

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

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.

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 ten publications. If you are applying for a position at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), you must submit a co-author statement, see template for co-author statement
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment, please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine orguidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position
• References/recommendations

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!
Read more about the department here; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - en.bio.aau.dk - Aalborg University

Who we are
At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 150 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

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

The candidate should be able to interpret experimental results and contribute to model development. Experience with reaction mechanisms and an understanding of how lab-scale findings may inform scale-up considerations would be a strong advantage. We are looking for someone who can work independently while actively contributing to team discussions. Excellent written and spoken English is essential, and the candidate should be motivated to collaborate across disciplines in an international research environment.

Ansøgningsfrist
21-09-2025

Ref. nummer
2025/440

Afdeling
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience