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Shape the future of next-generation wind energy technologies

DTU Wind and Energy Systems department is seeking an experienced and visionary Director to lead and further develop Denmark’s world-class wind turbine prototype test centres at Østerild and Høvsøre.

This is a unique strategic leadership role at the intersection of research, industry, and public policy—central to maintaining Denmark’s and Europe’s leadership in wind energy innovation. The role offers a rare opportunity to shape critical infrastructure that supports the global green transition and enables the next generation of wind turbine technologies.

About DTU Wind and Energy Systems
DTU Wind and Energy Systems is an internationally leading research department dedicated to enabling a sustainable, large-scale deployment of wind energy and the development of resilient energy systems. We collaborate closely with industry and institutions worldwide, combining scientific excellence with real-world impact. The national test centres in Østerild and Høvsøre play a central role in advancing next-generation wind turbine technology and are undergoing continuous development to meet future industry needs.

The Role
As Director, you will lead the continued development and operation of the national wind turbine test centres. You will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, safe, and future-oriented operations, while guiding the strategic expansion of Test Centre Østerild. You will work closely with various stakeholders at DTU, industry partners, authorities, and local stakeholders to ensure that the test centres continue to evolve in line with technical, societal, and environmental expectations. You will also serve as Head of Section for the Test Centre section within the Wind Turbine Design Division, leading a multidisciplinary team located across Risø, Østerild, and Høvsøre.

Key Responsibilities
The role centers on ensuring operational excellence across the test centres by maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient operations, with a strong focus on high availability and predictability for test users. This includes overseeing maintenance, technical readiness, and day-to-day operations in close collaboration with the team, while also guiding contract and supplier management through clear governance and shared accountability.

A central responsibility is leading the strategic expansion of Test Centre Østerild. This involves managing the overall programme, developing robust business cases and decision frameworks, and working constructively within regulatory processes, including environmental assessments and legislative alignment. The role requires strong coordination to ensure alignment across DTU, industry stakeholders, and public authorities.

Stakeholder and societal engagement are critical, with a focus on building trust and maintaining strong relationships with authorities, municipalities, industry partners, and local communities. Transparent and proactive communication on operations, expansion activities, and environmental impact is essential to sustain long-term societal acceptance and legitimacy of the test centres.

The position also carries full responsibility for financial performance, including operating budgets and investment planning. This includes developing sustainable and transparent business models, leading risk and sensitivity analyses, and working closely with DTU leadership to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Finally, the role involves leading and developing a multidisciplinary team across multiple locations. This includes fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment, promoting knowledge sharing and continuous learning, and maintaining a strong focus on safety, wellbeing, and sustainable performance. The role also contributes to strategic workforce planning and broader organizational development.

Your Profile
We are looking for a leader who is motivated by working at the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and societal impact.

We recognize that candidates bring different strengths and experiences. You may not meet every single requirement listed below—but we encourage you to apply if you see yourself in the role and are motivated to grow into it.

Experience and Expertise

• Leadership experience in large-scale technical infrastructure, energy systems, or similar environments
• Experience working across regulatory or public-sector interfaces
• Understanding of the wind energy sector or related industries is an advantage
• Ability to translate complex technical and regulatory topics into clear strategic decisions
• A confident and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to make clear decisions while engaging and empowering others
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, and strategic overview
• Ability to balance operational excellence with long-term development and innovation
• A key leadership role in one of the world’s most advanced wind energy environments
• A collaborative, international, and interdisciplinary workplace
• Close interaction with leading researchers, industry partners, and public stakeholders
• Opportunities to shape both infrastructure and organizational development
• Flexible working conditions supporting a sustainable work-life balance

Why This Role Matters
The continued development and expansion of Test Centre Østerild is a critical national and European priority. As Director, you will play a key role in shaping infrastructure that enables future wind turbine technologies and contributes directly to the green transition.

You will have the opportunity to influence not only technical development, but also how industry, research, and society collaborate to build sustainable energy systems.

What We Offer
At DTU, we value diverse perspectives and believe that strong teams are built from different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations or other relevant collective agreement.

The position is a full-time position. Starting date is 1 September 2026 (or according to mutual agreement).

The workplace is DTU Risø Campus and regular travel to Østerild and Høvsøre should be expected.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than Sunday, 2 August 2026. Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates.

For further information, you are welcome to contact Kenneth Thomsen, Head of Division Email: ktho@dtu.dk Phone: +45 9351 1080 or Morten Jeppesen, Head of Department Email: Mortenj@dtu.dk Phone: +45 9351 8985

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Wind and Energy Systems is about taking the technology to the next level. About creating an impact for people and society through research and innovation. About collaborating with the entire energy sector to develop the most effective technology on the planet. We have more than 451 staff members of which 60% are researchers, 20 professors, 107 PhDs, 26 % women, spanning 48 nationalities. We work every day on our mission to lead by scientific excellence and impact driven research that enables a sustainable, large-scale deployment of wind energy and the development of an integrated and resilient energy system.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Do you want to help shape Denmark’s green future?
We are looking for a strong project lead who will play a central role in a national partnership that brings together universities, companies, and public authorities to develop the energy systems of the future. You will be DTU’s lead in an ecosystem of technology, innovation, and collaboration centred around Residential College Bornholm and Rønne Gamle Elværk, which will be transformed into a vibrant innovation and learning environment and a national – and European – lighthouse for green energy. As part of this role, you will act as a coordinator and integrator across our expanding portfolio of energy transition and energy island projects.

The role and its strategic content
As project lead, you will be DTU’s operational focal point in our innovation, training, and research activities related to the Bornholm ecosystem. You will be responsible for establishing structure, progress, and strong coordination across researchers, students, companies, and public actors.

You will take the lead in developing DTU’s role in Residential College Bornholm and develop and test new models for innovation, collaboration, and education in collaboration with colleagues and collaboration partners – all with the ambition of creating a self-sustaining innovation environment in Rønne Gamle Elværk by 2028.

Key responsibilities and tasks
You will lead the project’s daily coordination and development activities. Your responsibilities include:

• Developing and testing course programmes and innovation activities within green energy and energy technologies, in close collaboration with DTU’s researchers and teachers
• Developing a summer school in collaboration with researchers and professors
• Coordinating and connecting student projects and internships across DTU and companies, ensuring strong integration with the Bornholm ecosystem
• Driving network building and partnerships between DTU researchers, industry, and public authorities, and contributing to the development of Rønne Gamle Elværk as a European hub for innovation, education, and collaboration
• Contributing to reporting, quality assurance, and progress in project activities
• Ensuring professional communication, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across the project’s many stakeholders

You will represent DTU in a broad partnership around the Baltic Energy Island Foundation.

Our expectations of you
We are looking for someone who thrives on creating structure in complex, multi-stakeholder environments and on connecting people and activities across research, education, and external partnerships. You are proactive, communicative, and motivated to contribute to the green transition.

We imagine that you have:

• A relevant academic degree (e.g. within technology, innovation, and/or project management)
• Experience coordinating complex technology projects across organisations and disciplines
• The ability to maintain oversight, manage deadlines, and ensure progress in parallel activities
• Strong communication skills
• A strong interest in the green transition, energy systems, and public-private collaboration
• Experience with or knowledge of educational projects, innovation collaborations, or similar (an advantage)

DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

What we offer in return
You will play a central role in one of Denmark’s most ambitious initiatives within green energy, innovation, and skill development. With us, you will get:

• The opportunity to help shape the future of energy innovation and education in close collaboration with research, industry, and public authorities
• A role with a strong professional network and significant room to influence priorities, tasks and direction
• A dynamic and international research environment at DTU with some of Europe’s brightest minds in their field, where collaboration and innovation are at the core
• Opportunities to develop your profile within project leadership, innovation, and partnership development in a complex real-world setting
• A workday characterized by professionalism, high engagement, and strong focus on Europe’s green transition through concrete activities and impact

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The employment is full-time and your workplace will be DTU Lyngby Campus with travels to Bornholm. The expected start date will be 1 September or as soon as possible hereafter.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 5 August 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates in one pdf file.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Anders Damgaard, adamg@dtu.dk, mob. 21 38 69 43 or Prof. Nicolaos A. Cutululis, niac@dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems at www.wind.dtu.dk

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers for wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting, and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department's cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions, and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Millions of people across the Nordic region depend on electricity that is reliable, affordable, and increasingly renewable. Making that possible as the energy system grows more complex and interconnected is one of the defining engineering and societal challenges of our time. We invite you to join us in tackling it. We are looking for two fully funded PhD researchers to work on cross-border coordination for the Nordic power system, as part of the IFD Grand Solutions-funded Nordic-Sec project. These are 3-year positions based at DTU, embedded in a collaborative team that bridges rigorous academic research and direct operational practice.

Why this PhD at DTU?
Your work will have direct, measurable impact. You will collaborate closely with Energinet, the Danish Transmission System Operator, and Nordic RCC, the regional coordination center for all Nordic TSOs, on problems that are operationally urgent and technically unsolved. The Nordic power system serves as an ideal demonstration case: highly interconnected, renewable-rich, and operationally advanced. The methods developed in this project are designed to be general, and we fully expect them to be adopted and applied across Europe and beyond. The project’s advisory board already reflects this ambition, including RTE, Coreso, Fingrid, Statnett, Baltic RCC, N-SIDE, and Svenska Kraftnät, a network that ensures the research stays grounded in real operational needs and opens doors for collaboration and career opportunities across the continent. You will not be working on abstract models in isolation; you will be part of a team that includes industry engineers, postdoctoral researchers, and fellow PhD students, all working toward the same practical goal.

You will join the Energy Markets & Analytics (EMA) Section, part of DTU Wind and Energy Systems. Our section brings together over 15 researchers from more than 10 countries, with scientific backgrounds spanning power and energy systems, industrial engineering, control, operations research, applied mathematics, data science, economics, and more. You will be supervised jointly by Associate Professor Lesia Mitridati and Professor Jalal Kazempour, a team that combines deep technical expertise with a genuine commitment to mentorship and to building an inclusive, collegial research culture. We place real value on social cohesion, diversity, and making sure everyone feels at home. Beyond research, we invest actively in our team: we organize an annual study trip to a leading European university, where we visit research groups, exchange ideas, and spend time together as a group. We also co-organize the annual DTU PES Summer School on Future Energy Systems and Markets, a highly regarded international event that draws PhD students and researchers from universities and companies around the world, and that our own PhD researchers help shape and participate in. Our research is published in leading international journals and conferences across energy systems, optimization, and operations research.

We strongly encourage all PhD researchers in our group to undertake an external research visit of 3 to 6 months or more at a partner university or research institute abroad. This is a genuine priority in our group, not a formality; we actively help you identify the right host, plan the visit, and make the most of it. Our former EMA PhD graduates now hold faculty and research positions at leading universities worldwide, as well as senior roles at TSOs and energy companies across Europe.

The research sits at the intersection of stochastic optimization, machine learning, cooperative game theory, and power systems, and is genuinely interdisciplinary, with real latitude to shape your own focus within the project. You will have the freedom to bring your own questions and perspective. We are committed to creating an environment where researchers from all backgrounds can thrive, and we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in engineering and energy research.

Context and motivation
The Nordic power system is rapidly shifting to renewable generation, creating unprecedented volatility and tighter cross-border dependencies. Siloed national operations are no longer sufficient: ensuring safe, efficient, and affordable electricity has become a Nordic and European challenge of strategic importance.

Nordic-Sec addresses this by designing a unified, end-to-end coordination framework that makes existing TSO and RCC tools work seamlessly together across borders and time frames. The project’s four innovations span: (1) a shared operational modelling language; (2) an end-to-end decision-support pipeline that is uncertainty-, physics-, and future-aware; (3) incentive-compatible mechanisms ensuring TSOs are satisfied and willing to implement solutions; and (4) a standardized validation and reproducibility toolbox that accelerates adoption and builds trust.

What you will work on
We are recruiting two fully funded PhD students, each for three years, to work on two closely related research tracks within the Nordic-Sec project:

• PhD 1 — Coordinated Cross-Border Capacity Allocation: Develop advanced capacity allocation mechanisms enabling Nordic TSOs and the RCC to jointly calculate and approve cross-border transfer capacities with greater accuracy, transparency, and fairness. This involves physics- and uncertainty-aware modelling, probabilistic flow-based capacity calculation, and incentive-compatible game-theoretic frameworks for TSO cooperation.
• PhD 2 — Cooperative Reserve Sizing and Procurement: Develop risk-aware, multi-stage decision-support mechanisms for joint reserve sizing and cross-border procurement, using stochastic optimization, decision-focused learning, and federated forecasting frameworks. The goal is to enable Nordic TSOs to efficiently pool reserves and fairly share costs, while accounting for downstream impacts on balancing and remedial actions.

The two projects are tightly interconnected. Both PhDs will collaborate closely with each other and others involved in the project, and with operational experts at Energinet and Nordic RCC, ensuring research is grounded in real-world needs and ready for adoption.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for highly motivated and committed candidates from varied backgrounds, eager to contribute to cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Successful applicants will ideally have:

• A relevant MSc degree in electrical engineering, energy systems, applied mathematics, operations research, computer science, data analytics, control, or related fields
• Background in at least one of: optimization (deterministic, stochastic, or robust), probability and statistics, machine learning, game theory, or control
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, Julia, MATLAB)
• Interest in power systems, electricity markets, and cross-border energy coordination
• Excellent English communication skills and a collaborative mindset to engage meaningfully with both academic and industrial partners

We value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive team. We want to be clear: if you are excited about this research and meet most of the profile above but not every listed criterion, we encourage you to apply.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
Applications will be evaluated by Associate Professor Lesia Mitridati and Professor Jalal Kazempour.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The exact start date will be agreed upon based on availability and preference. This is a full-time position. The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD projects are expected to start in 2026.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Lesia Mitridati (lemitri@dtu.dk) and Professor Jalal Kazempour (jalal@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems at https://wind.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 7 August 2026 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Information of two references (name, affiliation, position, and email address)

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems
The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.