Academic Research Staff for Organic Chemistry

Department of Chemistry at Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen is looking for a Academic Research Staff for a 1-year position with effect from September 1, 2026 or shortly thereafter.

About us

The Department of Chemistry is an internationally leading research and teaching environment for chemistry. The Department of Chemistry conducts top research within a wide range of chemical disciplines. We work within themes such as the green transition, medicine, material development and quantum chemistry. In addition, the department trains excellent graduates in chemistry who are employed in Danish and foreign companies. The department also contributes high-quality chemistry teaching to a number of bio and natural science programs at the University of Copenhagen. The Department of Chemistry has approx. 200 employees. You can read more about the Department of Chemistry on the website www.chem.ku.dk.

We are part of an organic chemistry research group focused on CO2, led by Associate Professor Jiwoong Lee, supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation’s CO2 Research Centre (CORC). The project is part of the research-commercialization project “VPX BAETA Carbon Solutions: At BAETA, we transform PET waste into sorbents for capturing and removing CO2.”, which is financed by VILLUM Power-to-X Accelerator (VPX). Our lab is located at Universitetsparken 5, Copenhagen and is the workplace for the position.

Tasks

Your main task will be to support the early-stage commercialisation of a novel solid-state carbon capture technology from the lab stage. Your tasks include:

• Translating experimental results into application-specific narratives and value propositions
• Building and maintaining a targeted pipeline of industrial partners in carbon-intensive sectors, PET waste supply, carbon storage and utilization
• Structuring and executing early-stage business development activities, including identifying market opportunities, investors, and identifying/planning funding strategies.
• Identify and engage early industrial adopters (WtE, cement, utilities)
• Structure pilot collaborations with industrial partners for next stage
• Define technical + commercial requirements with customers
• Coordinating closely with the research team to align experimental work with commercial hypotheses and external feedback
• Support communication activities such as pitch-deck
• Build pipeline tracking, partnership and competitors database
• Representing the project in national and international innovation spaces, including conferences and incubation programmes

We expect

• MSc/PhD in Chemistry, Nanoscience, Physics, or closely related field with direct exposure to the field of carbon capture or similar
• 3+ years of experience spanning research-based innovation-facing roles and deep-tech, university based spinouts
• Experience building and managing venture-oriented collaborations or research-based projects - ideally international projects spanning multiple geographies
• Experience or strong interest in climate tech, carbon capture, or industrial sustainability
• Strong skills in partnership development and stakeholder management, especially with industrial or corporate partners
• Experience engaging with European and international innovation ecosystems, including grants and startup support programmes
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex technical data to non-specialists - as well as to speak in public
• Excellent written and spoken English - more working languages are desirable
• Ability to operate independently and as part of a team in loosely defined, high-ambiguity environments
• Capacity to engage credibly with technical and commercial collaborators
• Open to travel

We offer:

• A role embedded in a leading organic chemistry research environment
• A key role in building a first-of-a-kind carbon capture company
• Direct involvement in early-stage commercialization, including planning pilot projects, customer engagement, and go-to-market strategy
• High degree of autonomy and responsibility at the research-venture interface
• Responsibility, variation, and good colleagues in an informal, international environment

Terms of salary and employment

The employment and salary is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Employment will be as academic officer/academic employee (Academic Research Staff). The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working time are 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

Your application

If you find the job interesting, please send an electronic application with attachment via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than May 15, 2026.

Interviews will take place week 21.

The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.

Further questions

Any questions about the position may be directed to Jiwoong Lee, +4535333312.