Special Advisor, Strategy & Partnerships

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) center at the Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, is looking for a Special Advisor, Strategy & Partnerships.

About
The Special Advisor, Strategy & Partnerships, provides strategic guidance, policy insight and narrative framing, and social media content to support NQCP’s mission to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing and strengthen Denmark’s leadership in quantum technology while supporting day-to-day activities including delegation visits and other logistical needs. Reporting to the Head of Innovation & Partnerships, the role bridges scientific, governmental, and institutional stakeholders to ensure NQCP’s mission is well understood and positioned within the broader policy, funding, and industrial landscape. It supports NQCP’s leadership in enhancing its visibility and influence across the national, European, and global quantum policy arenas.

The position reinforces strategic alignment between NQCP and the Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, connecting policy, ecosystem, and partnership activities across both entities through developing and writing linked media content. This includes developing the language and content used by NQCP in its communication with institutional ministries, funding bodies, and international programmes. The Special Advisor helps articulate a clear and coherent external narrative – through multiple formats including web, social media, annual reports, and presentations - for NQCP, clarifying its identity within the Danish, European, and global quantum ecosystem and communicating the programme’s mission and results in support of long-term positioning and future funding.

Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Governance, Policy, and Alignment

• Contribute to shaping NQCP’s external and internal media language, under the Pathfinder Framework, ensuring and maintaining alignment between scientific priorities, partnerships, and policy engagement in coordination with the Head of Innovation & Partnerships.
• Maintain high-level policy and strategic analysis linking Danish, European, and global quantum agendas, informing leadership decisions and long-term institutional positioning.
• Support senior engagement with ministries, funding bodies, and international partners to ensure coherent policy representation and strategic alignment across NQCP’s ecosystem.

2. Thought Leadership and Institutional Narrative

• Shape and support strategic initiatives that connect NQCP’s scientific achievements to its societal, industrial, and policy relevance – including developing and maintaining media content.
• Develop clear, high-impact narratives across all media channels that articulate NQCP’s distinct mission, its synergy with Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, and its contribution to Denmark’s quantum leadership internationally.
• Deliver thought leadership material that reinforces NQCP’s strategic voice and international influence, such as policy briefs, reports, and presentations.
• Working with the Head of Innovation & Partnerships and other team members develop, contribute, and elevate the graphics and language of slides, webpages, and social media.

3. Relationship Call-to-action and Representation

• Support representation and advocacy for NQCP in key national, European, and global forums on quantum policy and innovation.
• Build, activate, and sustain high-level relationships across ministries, research institutions, and industry to advance NQCP’s strategic objectives.
• Initiate and facilitate high-impact engagements and dialogues that deepen partnerships and extend NQCP’s influence.
• Provide leadership, organization, and coordination of academic, delegation, industrial, and ministerial visits including simple and complex logistics. Actively work to facilitate and solicit – and decline - the appropriate visits to raise the organization’s profile.

Candidate Profile

• Advanced academic or professional background, preferably holding a master’s degree in a technical or policy-oriented discipline.
• Demonstrated experience leading and contributing to strategic development processes and translating complex technical subjects, into actionable strategic insights, policy frameworks, and media content - particularly within quantum technologies. 
• Proven record of cross-sector collaboration, spanning academia, government, and industry environments, with experience working in the Danish civil service and government sector considered a strong asset.
• Strong analytical, diplomatic, and writing skills with the ability to operate autonomously while supporting senior leadership.
• Familiarity with national, European and global research, innovation, and funding frameworks.
• Fluent in both Danish and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills; proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset. 

Working Relations
The Special Advisor reports to the Head of Innovation & Partnerships and collaborates closely with NQCP leadership, the Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, and other cross-functional teams. The position involves frequent engagement with ministries, research agencies, and international partners.

Positioning
The position carries significant responsibility for external content, policy engagement, and institutional communication at the national and international level. It requires independent responsible thought, policy and partnership understanding at the intersection of science, government, and innovation. Operating at a Special Advisor level, the role supports NQCP’s leadership in representing the programme nationally and internationally, and in advancing Denmark’s position in the global quantum ecosystem.

Why Us? 
Joining NQCP now, you will be involved from our early stages and contribute to the fulfilment of the mission of NQCP. We want to make Denmark a world leader in quantum research, and we hope to attract people from all over the world.  

Life in Denmark is supported with strong social services (free universal healthcare, free/subsidised language courses, paid parental leave, subsidised day care institutions and excellent public schools). Our work culture is very egalitarian and prioritises work life balance. Dual career families are the norm, and workplaces offer flexibility to support everyone in having both an exciting career and good family time. Danish cities are known for having excellent infrastructure, for example through widespread bike path networks. We can also offer a thriving food-scene, excellent museums, and beautiful natural scenery. 

Terms of salary and employment
The employment and salary are 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 or special consultant. The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working hours are 37 hours per week on average and the working hours are flexible. The position is limited until 31 December 2029.

Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance.

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Curriculum vitae, including a short cover letter, with information about your education, experience and other skills relevant for the position
• Diplomas (Master’s degree or equivalent)

Deadline for applications: 10 December 2025 23:59 CET.

Further information 

For further information please contact Chief Strategy Officer Stuart Woods, stuart.woods@nbi.ku.dk.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and master students in 12 departments. The faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion. 

Learn more about The Faculty of Science at https://science.ku.dk/.

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

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.