Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University (RUC), invites applications for a position as postdoc of experimental physics in the project “Aging of Glasses: to be or not to be like a liquid” funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. The position, which is vacant from the 1st of September 2026, is limited to a period of two years.

Physical aging is the gradual change of properties of non-crystalline solids, a process that usually can only be observed just below the glass-transition temperature because it is otherwise too slow. The last decade has established the Roskilde University research group Glass and Time as leading within experiment, theory, and computer simulations of physical aging. The project aims at identifying the limits of how far the half-century old Narayanaswamy concept of a material time describing physical aging applies. This will be done by studies of single-parameter aging for large temperature up jumps on different classes of glass-formers, including molecular liquids, polymers, metals, and computer simulated liquids. The main experimental techniques will be Flash DSC and dielectric spectroscopy.

You will become part of Glass and Time, a Roskilde University research center, see https://glass.ruc.dk/ for info. In the group we do not compete internally, but care for and help each other and are committed to ensuring that everyone thrives. In the semester there are weekly 1-hour group meetings, each which alternate between progress reports of one group member and paper presentations.

About the department. Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The department conducts basic and applied research within physics, mathematics, chemistry, medical biology, molecular biology, and environmental science. Roskilde University is located close to Copenhagen with good train connections (22 min. from the central station).

The position is anchored in IMFUFA (the section for Mathematics & Physics) consisting of eighteen professors/associate professors/assistant professors, as well as a number of PhD students, postdocs, etc. The section hosts a workshop and highly skilled technical staff which will support the experimental work. IMFUFA offers a collaborative and strong internationally oriented research environment.

Responsibilities and tasks
The postdoc’s work includes research within experimental physics of aging glasses; additionally, a certain amount of teaching is also part of the position’s responsibilities. The position mainly consists of experimental work and includes

• Designing and commissioning equipment
• Planning and performing aging experiments
• High level data analysis
• Theory development in connection with the interpretation of experimental data
• Collaborating with and supporting the PhD student on the project

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree within experimental physics or a related area. Qualifications within the following scientific areas are required:

• Experience with advanced experimental work
• Strong mathematics skills
• Competences in general programming/high level data analysis in, e.g., Python, Matlab

Qualifications/experience within the following is an advantage

• A theoretical basis in the statistical mechanics of soft matter
• Solid knowledge on the glass transition and aging
• Amorphous metals, polymers, and/or molecular glass formers
• Flash DSC and/or dielectric spectroscopy

An ideal candidate has good communication skills and is ready to be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in collaboration across the department.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates consideration will be given to;

• scientific production;
• general curiosity and eagerness to gain knowledge in new fields;
• experience in teaching;
• ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external collaboration;
• the ability to promote and utilize research results.

Questions
For further information about the position, you are welcome to contact project PI Professor Kristine Niss, email: kniss@ruc.dk , tel. (+45) 4674-2278, or Head of Department Susanne Sørensen, email: susa@ruc.dk , tel. (+45) 4674-2111.

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time (37 hours per week), and you will in your daily work refer to Professor Kristine Niss. Your formal head of staff will be Head of Department, Susanne Sørensen.The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.  

Application procedure 
After the deadline for applications the Head of Department will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application 
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/ 

Only applications in English are accepted. 

Applications must include: 

1. Cover letter 

2. CV 

3. Documentation of education 

4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here) 

5. A complete list of publications 

6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment  

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here) 

Please submit your application no later than May 29, 2026.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. 

The hiring process at Roskilde 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.