Innovation Manager Specialist at the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC)

Are you passionate about driving innovation and do you want to play a key part in innovating Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) for a sustainable future? Do you thrive when building industrial partnerships, shaping new value chains, and turning promising technologies into real-world projects that create impact?

At CORC, we believe that the future of CCU depends both on developing breakthrough technologies through curiosity-driven research, and on mission-driven innovation involving successful co-maturation and integration with industry. Achieving this requires a deep understanding of the CCUS landscape spanning from technologies and value chains to industrial partnerships, funding, and deployment. To help implement and continuously strengthen innovation across the CORC ecosystem, we are looking for an Innovation Manager Specialist, preferably with experience from the CCU sector.

In this role, you will work with innovation at the intersection between research, industry and new market policies, driving the development of new value chains through industrial integration, commercialization, and ecosystem development. Your mission will be to enable the transformation of promising CCU technologies into commercially viable industrial projects and help establish a CCU industry.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a permanent position starting October 15th 2026 or as soon as possible.

Job description

As Innovation Manager Specialist, you will lead activities and projects that support the development and implementation of industrial CCU projects across the CORC portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Innovation, you will be responsible for initiatives that lead the development of integrated CCU value chains, establishing strategic industrial partnerships, and driving projects from concept through validation to industrial deployment, while continuously strengthening the CORC Development Model through practical implementation.

Key responsibilities include

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated CCUS solutions and value chains spanning from carbon capture to utilization.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with industrial companies, investors, project developers, innovation organizations, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
• Lead industrial integration and commercialization activities, including industrial engagement, partnership development, technology positioning, and IP strategy.
• Lead project development activities, including project structuring, funding strategies and applications, deployment planning, and investment readiness.
• Drive technology maturation, translational planning, and progression toward industrial deployment in collaboration with researchers and project teams.
• Continuously develop the CORC Development Model, including process development, project evaluation, and the CORC Innovation Playbook, by capturing and applying lessons learned from project implementation.
• Prepare strategic analyses and decision material for management and governance bodies.

Your profile

• You have a relevant background preferably with 3-5 years experience from Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) or similar technology areas
• Experience working with innovation, commercialization, technology development, venture creation, or industrial partnerships
• Understand how technologies move from validation into industrial implementation
• Are comfortable operating across technical, commercial, and strategic domains
• Have strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills
• Enjoy building partnerships and working in multidisciplinary environments
• Are proactive, structured, and capable of driving initiatives independently

Who we are

The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) was established in 2022 and is a mission‐oriented international research center with headquarters at Aarhus University. The center’s purpose is to develop novel science and early technologies for carbon capture and conversion for utilization. The Center comprises 15+ research groups at Aarhus University, Stanford University (US), Caltech (US), Rice University (US), University of Tübingen (DE), University of Copenhagen (DK) and Technical University of Denmark (DK). In total, the center encompasses 80-100 researchers.

You will be part of the CORC Operations team at Aarhus University, consisting of 10-15 engaged colleagues.

See more on www.corc.au.dk

What we offer

• The opportunity to play a central role in accelerating the industrial deployment of CCU technologies and contribute directly to the green transition.
• Ownership of high-impact projects and integrated CCU value chains spanning from carbon capture to utilization.
• A dynamic and collaborative environment with a high degree of responsibility, autonomy, and influence on project development and industrial partnerships.
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international, and industrial collaborators
• A work environment with close working relationships, networking, and social activities
• A workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and work-life balance

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is at Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions. Furthermore, weekly visits at AU Viborg Campus will be expected to develop and implement the CORC Innovation hub.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Head of Innovation, Alexia Jacobsen, +45 2060 2031 or alexia@corc.au.dk

Deadline for application

Applications must be received no later than August 31 2026.

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

You will be appointed as an Administrative Officer at basic salary steps 4–8 with an availability supplement.

For the right candidate, appointment as a special consultant may be possible, with salary determined in accordance with Appendix 4 of the collective agreement.

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.

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