Associate Professorship in Experimental Nano-Optics

The Mads Clausen Institute, Center for Nano Optics (www.sdu.dk/nano-optics) invites applications for an Associate Professor position in ‘Experimental Nano-Optics’. The starting date is Feb 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

The successful candidate is expected to conduct cutting-edge experimental research within nano-optics involving advanced optical characterization of localized and propagating strongly enhanced and confined electromagnetic excitations with the state-of-the-art amplitude and phase-resolved near-field microscope available (NeaSpec). The near-field characterization is expected to be complemented with other optical characterization techniques as well as with performing advanced electromagnetic modelling. The candidate should have documented teaching experience at both BSc and MSc levels along with the corresponding teaching portfolio.

The application material should include a detailed motivation and an outline of the research activities that are to be pursued. In their applications, applicants should highlight their ten most significant journal publications, detailing also their author contributions. Applicants who wish to be considered should provide a link to a fully-updated ResearcherID (www.researcherid.com). The application material should also include detailed accounts on supervision and teaching experience.

The prospective candidates should have a Ph.D. degree in physics, preferably within nano-optics, and documented research experience in the aforementioned experimental techniques. They are expected to have a notable international profile, strong record of research publications, and demonstrated exceptional potential to excel in scientific research. We expect the candidate to actively engage in the development of academic research, conducting vigorous fund raising activities, and educational environment at the Centre for Nano Optics.

The candidate is expected to teach and instruct both graduate and undergraduet students as well as supervise bachelor and master projects. Furthermore, the candicate is expected to contribute actively to young-researcher education through supervision of Ph.D. students and postdoctorial researchers. 

For further information about the position and research infrastructure as well as Centre for Nano Optics, contact Prof. Sergey I. Bozhevolnyi ([email protected]).

Read more on: http://www.sdu.dk/en/stillinger

Contact information
For information about the Mads Clausen Institute, please see www.sdu.dk/en/mci. 

Further information about this position is available Prof. Sergey I. Bozhevolnyi ([email protected]).

Please be aware that we will not accept any email applications, as all applications must be submitted through the SDU online recruitment system.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application 

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

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

• Research plan for the position in question (max. 2 pages). 
  Upload in the field called "Project description". 
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, including personal contact information, describing research, along with any other relevant information, e.g. teaching experience, external funding etc.
• Verified copies of official Certificates/Diplomas (BSc, MSc and PhD) 
• List of publications with most relevant publications highlighted.
• Up to three names and emails of researchers, who can provide an informed reference letter at short notice (Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included).

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: 

Motivated application shall be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is November 1st, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

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. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. 

Read about the Assessment and selection process.   

Employment terms 

Appointment as an associate professor is permanent, and the preferred start date is from Feb 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Employment as an associate professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific and teaching qualifications commensurate with the position as an associate professor. 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 associate 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. Further information on salary and taxation.  

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

About SDU and Sønderborg

The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now as a multi-campus university has more than 27,000 students, almost 20 % of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programs in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense.  

International applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation and housing. For further information on what it is like working at SDU, please read "10 good reasons why you should choose SDU". Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.

SDU is actively working with UN's 17 sustainable development goals, based on free, critical and independent research and education. The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnicity, or any other personal background.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.

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