By Lasse Panny Pedersen and Mikkel Høj Svendsen, AAU Excellence Talent Program
Graphics: Søren Emil Søe Degn, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

The ambition of AAU's new research talent programme is clear: AAU's talented researchers will develop groundbreaking and creative research at a level high enough to bring in prestigious research grants.

The selected participants

The first eight participants of the programme have now been selected. They are:

• Ida Bæk Hjermitslev, Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
• Majse Lind, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
• Aleksejs Sazonovs, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
• Anne Krogh Nøhr, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
• Caitlin Margaret Singleton, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Faculty of Engineering and Science
• Hongbo Zhao, Assistant Professor, Department of Energy, Faculty of Engineering and Science
• Edlira Dushku, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronic Systems, Technical Faculty of IT and Design
• Jeanette Falk Olesen, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Technical Faculty of IT and Design

AAU Excellence is an important part of Aalborg University's strategy Knowledge for the World. Rector Per Michael Johansen is delighted that the talent programme is being launched:

"Through the talent programme, we aim to give our most talented early-career researchers the best conditions to develop into excellent top researchers. It reinforces my belief in the university's research future that we have such talented young researchers," says the rector.

Thorough selection process

The selection for AAU Excellence has been an extensive process. Based on an open call before the summer holiday, 86 early-career researchers submitted a brief expression of interest at the end of August. After a thorough assessment, 16 applicants were selected to submit a detailed application and a statement of support from their department. These applications were then assessed by international experts in the relevant disciplines. The final assessment and selection took place last week, with the programme's scientific committee conducting individual interviews with the 16 applicants.

"There has been a lot of interest in the programme, and we have received many highly qualified and very interesting applications. We look forward to following the participants and seeing how the programme can contribute to the development of the next generation of top researchers at AAU," says Professor Mette Buchardt, chair of the programme's committee.

About AAU Excellence

AAU Excellence officially begins on 1 January 2025 when the first participants will be admitted to the programme. Over two years, the participants will take part in a number of activities specially selected by the scientific committee. The programme is designed to strengthen the participants' competencies and prepare them to become the top researchers of the future.

The programme includes activities in:

• Maturation of research ideas
• Mentoring
• Competence development
• Networking and exclusive events

Dean Lars Hvilsted Rasmussen who is the executive manager responsible for research remarks:

"Today, we mark an important milestone for AAU with the announcement of the first participants in our new elite researcher talent programme AAU Excellence. Europe is currently facing a historic challenge in increasing its global competitiveness through research and development. As a university, we have a great responsibility to be part of this, and AAU Excellence is a crucial step in securing the top researchers and research leaders of the future.

Next selection round

For those interested in the programme, there is good news. The next application round will begin in the first half of 2025 with admission to the programme as of 1 January 2026.

Follow the programme via LinkedIn for continuous updates and more information.