By David Graff, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

When the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Jesper Wengel, was appointed acting Prorector for Research on 1 March this year, Michael Toft Overgaard assumed his duties as Dean – while simultaneously retaining his role as Vice Dean for Research and Innovation.

This arrangement is not sustainable in the long term, and two acting appointments are therefore now being established while the leadership structure at Prorector and Dean level at ENGINEERING is finalised.

Back to the same level of resources

“With the two new acting appointments, we are now back to the same level of resources as before the restructuring at Prorector and Dean level began. This allows us to give the many positive initiatives and the continued high level of activity in research and innovation at ENGINEERING the time, attention and leadership they deserve,” says Michael Toft Overgaard.

Kjeld Nielsen has been appointed as Vice Dean for Research and Innovation until February 2027 and will maintain his affiliation with research at the Department of Materials and Production, as his role as Vice Dean is part-time.

“I would like to help ensure that the faculty is well-functioning, inclusive and motivating, and I have a particular focus on further unlocking the innovation potential within the faculty – both in start-ups and in researchers’ work to strengthen Danish industry through new innovations,” he says.

Strategic focus on talent

By dividing the Vice Dean role into two positions, the faculty is able to test a model with an Vice Dean for Talent and Career Development. This is a new initiative stemming directly from the university’s strategy, explains Michael Toft Overgaard.

“At Aalborg University, we aim to attract, retain and develop research talent. This applies not least to ENGINEERING, where we expect significant recruitment in the coming years. In 2026 alone, we expect to grow by at least 50 researchers compared to the start of the year.”

Professor Torsten Nygård Kristensen from the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience is initially appointed to the role until February 2027, and he will also continue working as a researcher part of the time.

“It is about getting started quickly, as our ambitions require. The Vice Dean position or positions will, of course, be formally advertised at a later stage,” emphasises Michael Toft Overgaard.

Torsten Nygård Kristensen will initially take over responsibility for the faculty’s PhD school and will have a particular focus on ensuring coherence between PhD activities, the faculty’s talent initiatives, and the development of career pathways, as well as increasing diversity among researchers.

“If we are to succeed with our ambitions, it requires that we both attract talented individuals and create an environment in which they want to stay and develop. I very much look forward to contributing to that work – both through the PhD school and through a broader focus on talent and career development,” says Torsten Nygård Kristensen.