Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Digitalization of Metal Additive Manufacturing and CO2 Impact Analysis

Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering (MPE) of Aarhus University invites applications for a 1.5 year Postdoctoral Researcher position in the field of Digitalization of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM) and CO2 Impact Analysis. This position is part of the REFUMA project (REmanufacturing by reFUrbished hybrid MAchinery), which focuses on demonstrating and advancing hybrid manufacturing techniques for refurbishing industrial equipment and extending the life cycle of metal components.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 1.5–year position from June 1, 2025, or as soon possible.

Job description
Denmark faces an urgent challenge: maintaining industrial production while aligning with the green transition. This requires rethinking products, processes, and adaptability—without sacrificing profitability. This project explores remanufacturing in metal-based industries, demonstrating how extending product lifecycles can enhance value while reducing costs and resource consumption. By proving that existing production equipment can be revitalized at a fraction of the cost of new investments, we aim to showcase a scalable, sustainableapproach to industrial transformation.

We are seeking a highly motivatedpostdoctoral researcher to contribute to this vision by leveraging digital twins, sensor integration, and data-driven sustainability assessments. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing advanced manufacturing strategies and collaborating with industrial and academic partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement digital twin models for Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes.
• Integrate sensor data acquisition and real-time process monitoring for hybrid manufacturing.
• Performdata processing and analysis to assess CO₂ impact and sustainability metrics.
• Collaborate with industry partners and research institutions on sustainable manufacturing solutions.
• Contribute to scientific publications, industry reports, and dissemination efforts.

This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge cutting-edge digital manufacturing technologies with real-world industrial sustainability challenges. If you are passionate about advanced manufacturing, process optimization, and sustainability, we encourage you to apply!

Your profile
Applicants should hold a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Data Science, or a related field.

• Experience with digitalization of manufacturing processes, sensor integration, or data analytics.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, C++, or similar) for data processing and modelling (Pandas, NumPy, SciPy …).
• Knowledge of CO2 impact analysis and sustainability assessment.
• Hands-on experience in experimental setups for additive and subtractive manufacturing is a plus.
• Excellent communication scientific writing skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Who we are
You will join the Design and Manufacturing Section at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, where we integrate in-depth research with practical applications. Within the Additive Manufacturing group, we focus on simulation, data-driven, and experimental research to explore the process-structure-property (PSP) relationship in Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM). Additionally, we develop industrial programs to unlock the full potential of additive manufacturing. This role offers you the opportunity to engage in a collaborative research environment and enhance your research productivity.

Aarhus University is a globally recognized research institution committed to excellence in science and innovation. Our engineering faculty is at the forefront of advancing digitalization and sustainable manufacturing, working closely with industry to solve real-world challenges. With a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge research facilities, and a dynamic work environment, we provide an ideal setting for ambitious researchers. Our team fosters a culture of curiosity, innovation, and impact, where postdocs play a key role in shaping the future of metal additive manufacturing and industrial sustainability. At Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering of Aarhus University, you will be part of a forward-thinking research community dedicated to pioneering solutions for next-generation manufacturing.

Read more about the department here

What we offer
The department offers:

• A dynamic and international research environment at Aarhus University.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for additive manufacturing, digital twins, and data analytics.
• Opportunities to collaborate with industry and research institutions on cutting-edge digitalization and sustainability projects.
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with Danish employment regulations.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Katrinebjergvej 89, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Assistant Prof. Jinghao Li, jli@mpe.au.dk

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

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

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Konstruktion og Produktion/Design and Manufacturing

Deadline: 22 April 2025

Location: Aarhus N Katrinebjergvej 89F