Postdoc in Deep Tech Entrepreneurship and University Innovation Ecosystems

Are you passionate about understanding how deep tech startups succeed, and how universities can better support them? Are you looking for a research position where you can shape a unique dataset and generate real-world impact through science-based advice for universities, policymakers and innovation funders?

At DTU Entrepreneurship, you will join a new research program on the role of universities and entrepreneurial ecosystems in building deep tech startups and scaleups. You will work towards building a landmark database on university deep tech startups, carry out independent, high-quality research leveraging this data, and engage with stakeholders in the Danish and international deep tech arena.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary focus will be to develop a comprehensive database and conduct new research on how university innovation ecosystems influence the performance and scaling of deep tech university spinouts.

Your key tasks will be to:

• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive database of university-based startups in Denmark and internationally
• Collect and validate novel data on firm development, ecosystem support, funding, and performance
• Collaborate on research projects exploring success factors in deep tech entrepreneurship, including collaborate on academic papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Engage with stakeholders and communicate insights through e.g. reports and briefs
• Take the lead on academic publications in collaboration with a research team at the centre
• Help shape the long-term research agenda of the research team

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in entrepreneurship, innovation studies, economics, management, or a related social science discipline, and has experience with quantitative data collection and analysis. We’re looking for a colleague who is passionate about the research topic, highly organized and able to work independently, and able to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team. Experience with large datasets is appreciated but not required. Applicants must be fluent in English.

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.

You will join DTU Entrepreneurship - a dynamic center at the Technical University of Denmark dedicated to research, teaching, and impact in technology entrepreneurship. You will be part of an ambitious research team working closely with ecosystem stakeholders. You will also contribute to a timely, policy-relevant research agenda with significant potential for academic and societal impact in Denmark and abroad.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Lars Alkærsig, lalk@dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Entrepreneurshipat https://www.entrepreneurship.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.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 September 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

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 Entrepreneurship aims to be a world-renowned centre of excellence for building the entrepreneurial and technology innovation capabilities of students, researchers and organizations. We currently employ approximately 40 people including eight faculty, 3 postdocs, and about 15 PhD students. Our academic staff publish in the top journals in entrepreneurship and innovation management and conduct research in the fields of start-up creation and success, entrepreneurial teams, entrepreneurship and health, corporate entrepreneurship, scaleups, digitalization, sustainability, and entrepreneurship didactics. Furthermore, our researchers are characterized by a strong dedication to the implications of their research for delivering excellent entrepreneurship education. We offer a suite of BSc, MSc and PhD courses specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation. We also host a two-year interdisciplinary post-graduate programme on Technology Entrepreneurship since 2020. DTU Entrepreneurship has also a series of projects that focus on experimenting and translating research knowledge into practice and enhancing industrial collaboration.

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.