Technical Director at the VILLUM Power to X Accelerator

Are you passionate about solving the global energy problem and do you also have broad technical skills and a passion for start-up? Then you might be the one we seek to help run the VILLUM Power to X Accelerator.

The VILLUM Power to X Accelerator (VPX) is a new national initiative aiming to lift promising P2X technology out of academic labs and into real-world application. VPX is set to run for 5 years (at least) and will host and sponsor a portfolio of projects, each driven by small teams of talented and enthusiastic would-be founders (project fellows). Within around 2 years, VPX projects shall elevate both their core technology and their business plan to the point where it makes sense to found a company or otherwise bring the technology to market. As a national initiative VPX project, teams can work at any of the five partner universities:

• Aalborg University (AAU)
• Aarhus University (AU)
• University of Copenhagen (KU)
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
• Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

The job
The technical director is hired by VPX and will be part of its leadership. The technical director will work full time on ensuring that all aspects of the accelerator run with optimal efficiency. This means that the technical director is ready to help in whichever role generates the most value - for example, from strategic decision making for the accelerator - to helping project fellows debug their electronics or setting up their accounting. The responsibilities and tasks of the technical director are thus very diverse in nature and include:

• being the daily leader of the accelerator
• providing concrete, hands-on technical help to project teams
• providing detailed strategic and business development help to project teams
• helping the project teams solve all problems, big and small
• assessing the progression of the teams in relation to their stated goals and timelines
• management of VPX facilities and equipment
• resource- and budget management 
• reporting and documentation of VPX activity
• actively building VPX' network (both to attract great projects and to help projects move on after VPX)
• supporting the scientific director and VPX staff

Besides the technical director the VPX core team will consist of an administrator, two technical support staff and a business developer all of which work at DTU in Lyngby. All VPX staff - and the technical director in particular - must see the ultimate success of the portfolio projects as the primary goal of their work.

You will be reporting to the scientific director of VPX, Professor Peter C.K. Vesborg.

Our expectations of you
You are highly motivated to solve the energy problem.

You must have a technical background - probably a PhD or engineering degree in a P2X related field. You must also be a generalist with broad skill set, which besides technical skills must include experience with organization, leadership, and business development and operation. Helping others around you perform and succeed motivates you and you are not afraid to get your hands dirty in the process.   

You are organized, methodical and with excellent ability to handle multiple simultaneous tasks. Full command of English and Danish is also a must. You are passionate about start-up in general and have a genuine drive to do something about the energy/climate problem in particular. Concrete experience from a start-up company or other small company, perhaps as a founder, is therefore a big benefit.

What we offer in return
We offer a unique opportunity for you to use your abilities and passion to really make an impact on the global energy problem. We offer a challenging job in an international environment where the skills and drive you provide will make a pivotal difference to the VILLUM Power to X Accelerator and, by extension, far beyond.

The management of the VILLUM Power to X Accelerator is located at DTU Physics. At DTU Physics we have an informal work environment based on collegial respect, responsibility, and pride, and we continuously strive to maintain an appreciative and positive atmosphere.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The salary for the position will be determined by the applicant’s qualifications and in agreement with the relevant union.

The position is full time (37 hours/week), and the workplace is DTU Lyngby campus.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than Wednesday, 29 June 2022 CEST (EOD). Open the “Apply” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates. 

We aim to conduct interviews for the position around 4 July 2022.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Professor Peter C.K. Vesborg on telephone +45 6168 8314.

You can read more about The VILLUM Power to X Accelerator (VPX) at https://sites.dtu.dk/vp2x, and about DTU Physics at www.fysik.dtu.dk/English.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Please write in your application that you've seen the job at Jobfinder

Our research areas
At DTU Physics, we perform research in fundamental and applied physics areas, and we use and develop state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical approaches. We have a broad effort in materials physics and design, catalysis, quantum optics, sensing and communication, biophysics, plasma physics, continuum physics, and radiation physics. Our research impacts society with new sustainable energy technologies, secure digital communication, medical technology, and new analytical methods. We use and develop basic theory, next-generation instrumentation, and software, and aim to make our data publicly accessible and usable.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.