Or are you a company or a research institution with an idea for a research project that can create commercial value for the company?
The Industrial Researcher Programme invests in Industrial PhD and Postdoc projects. In both project types the candidate is employed in a private company and enrolled at or collaborates with a public sector research organisation. The candidate works on the same project at both places. Innovation Fund Denmark invests in research projects within all research fields, provided the research project is of a high quality and is commercially relevant to the company.
Guidelines updated in October 2019
10 October 2019 we have updated the guidelines for Industrial PhD and Industrial postdoc with a number of small but important clarifications to increase transparency in assessment criteria.
In addition, for Industrial PhD candidates, we introduce a simplification of the rules for dispensation with regard to grade requirements.
Current listings and application deadlines
Industrial PhD | Industrial Researcher | /en/node/500 | e-f | ||
Industrial Postdoc | Industrial Researcher | /en/node/531 | e-f | ||
Special Industrial Researcher Call 2020: Circular Built Environment | Industrial Researcher | /en/node/1010 | e-f |
The Guidelines for Industrial PhD is the document that establishes the terms for Industrial PhD applications, project structure and financing. You can find the guidelines down below.
Industrial PhD in the private sector
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24 September 2019, 12.00 pm.
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9 January 2020, 12.00 pm.
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30 April 2020, 12.00 pm.
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17 September 2020, 12.00 pm.
Industrial PhD in the public sector
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8 October 2019, 12.00 pm.
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30 September 2020, 12.00 pm.
The Industrial PhD student and the 2 primary supervisors (one from the company and one from the university) are required to participate in a kick-off when the Industrial PhD project is approved.
Read more about the next kick-off event 18 February 2020
An Industrial PhD student must receive at least the total salary (salary + pension) of a university employed PhD student. The AC collective agreement (DK: ‘AC-overenskomsten’) regulates salary levels for PhD fellows, whose salaries are determined in accordance with the collective agreement’s §4 and §8.
Per 1 October 2019 the total monthly salary levels, incl. pension and supplement, are as follows, based on seniority:
- Year 1, salary level 4: DKK 31,810
- Year 2, salary level 4: DKK 31,810
- Year 3, salary level 5: DKK 34,177
- Year 4, salary level 6: DKK 36,337
- Year 5, salary level 8: DKK 38,464
Salary seniority is determined by the period of time the PhD fellow has been employed with work that requires an academic education. This means if you go directly from the master’s degree to the PhD study you start on salary level 4.
The collectively agreed salary is a minimum salary. As an Industrial PhD candidate, you can negotiate a higher salary. In general you should consider your Industrial PhD employment as any other type of employment with regard to negotiating employment terms. This means that you can also negotiate holidays, paternal leave etc. As a minimum, the employment must be on terms for salaried employees (DK: funktionærbetingelser).
Please note that an actual employment contract must be agreed upon which frees up from any other work tasks except the project and the education when the project is running. Additionally, please note that any non-competition clauses or similar in the employment contract must not limit your possibilities for employment elsewhere. Likewise, the contract must not contain educational clauses or similar that require you to reimburse the company’s expenses for the education if the education is discontinued, or if you change employment after completing the Industrial PhD project.
We advise you to seek consultation on the salary level with an HR specialist or with a union within the sector and the above salary levels are indicative.
Innovation Fund Denmark is offering a new, mandatory course for all Industrial PhD students. The course is run by CBS. The general purpose of the course is to prepare the Industrial PhD students for the role as industrial researcher during and after the studies.
The Industrial PhD course and its content is designed for you, as a student, to follow at the start of your Industrial PhD education, and you will make the most of the course by participating early in your project. Accordingly we encourage you to sign up for the first upcoming course after your project start.
Please be aware: The course is only accessible for Industrial PhD's approved from the first round of 2017 and forth.
Course dates
The course dates for 2019 are as follows:
- Module 1: 9 -10 October 2019
- Module 2: 27-28 April 2020
- Module 3: 1 October 2020
Register
CBS runs the course. Training, facilities and administration in relation to the course are conducted in collaboration with Innovation Fund Denmark.
The subgoals of the course are
- That the Industrial PhD student acquires practical and theoretical tools for managing a research project that involves academic and business cultures and often does not have a clear hierarchical structure
- That the Industrial PhD student acquires tools for manoeuvering in academic and commercial environments and getting the best of both worlds
- That the Industrial PhD student acquires tools for converting their own and others’ research into innovation and business value
- That the Industrial PhD student gets to understand their potential impact as an industrial researcher and the impact of the project in a company and society perspective, and becomes capable of acting in this regard
- That the Industrial PhD student creates a professional and social network with other Industrial PhD students
The course makes up 5 ECTS points and consists of three modules. All three modules are mandatory for all approved Industrial PhD students.
Accordingly, the student participates in three modules across a one-year period from the start of the Industrial PhD project.
The Guidelines for Industrial Postdoc is the document that establishes the terms for Industrial Postdoc application, project structure and financing. You can find the guidelines down below.
2019
Regular Industrial Postdoc
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24 September 2019, 12.00 pm.
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9 January 2020, 12.00 pm.
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30 April 2020, 12.00 pm.
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17 September 2020, 12.00 pm.
Public sector Industrial Postdoc
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8 October 2019, 12.00 pm.
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30 September 2020, 12.00 pm
An Industrial Postdoc must receive at least the total salary (salary + pension) of a postdoc employed at a university in Denmark. The AC collective agreement (DK: ‘AC-overenskomsten’) regulates salary levels for postdoc employees, whose salaries are determined in accordance with the collective agreement’s §4 and §8.
Per 1 October 2019 the total monthly salary levels, incl. pension and supplement, are as follows, based on seniority:
- Year 1, salary level 4: DKK 35.714
- Year 2, salary level 4: DKK 35.714
- Year 3, salary level 5: DKK 38.082
- Year 4, salary level 6: DKK 40.241
- Year 5, salary level 8: DKK 42.369
Salary seniority is determined by the period of time the postdoc employee has been employed with work that requires an academic education. Since a postdoc employee typically has at least 3 years of PhD employment already, they usually start on salary level 5 or above.
The collectively agreed salary is a minimum salary. As an Industrial Postdoc, you can negotiate a higher salary. In general you should view your Industrial Postdoc employment like any other type of employment with regard to negotiating employment terms. This means that you can also negotiate holidays, paternal leave etc. As a minimum, the employment must be on terms for salaried employees (DK: funktionærbetingelser). Also note that any non-competition clauses or similar in the employment contract must not limit the Industrial Postdoc’s possibilities for employment elsewhere.
We advise you to seek consultation on the salary level with an HR specialist or with a union within the sector and the above salary levels are indicative.
The Innovation Fund Denmark has chosen to postpone the opening of the new program 'Industrial Fellow' for autumn 2020.
Once the exact deadline has been set, it will be announced via the Innovation Fund's newsletter and social media.
The guidelines will be available on the Innovation Fund's website at least six months before the application deadline.
The Effect of the Industrial PhD Programme on Employment and Income
Publication date: 11 July 2013
ISBN: 978-87-92776-68-6
Publisher: Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education
Publication year: 2012
Page number: 35
A study of the occupation activity of Industrial PhD’s and conventional PhD’s respectively, shows generally highemployment rate for both groups. The study also shows that Industrial PhD students are typically employed in specialist positions with high salary in the private sector, while ordinary PhD students are typically employed in the public sector with a lower salary. The study also shows that a high employment rate once the Industrial PhD’s have completed the Industrial PhD.
The report is in English with a Danish abstract.
Find the publication here (PDF)
Analysis of the Industrial PhD Programme
Publication date: 23 February 2011
ISBN: 978-87-92372-65-9
Publisher: Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education
Publication year: 2011
Page number: 43
A new impact assessment of the Industrial PhD Programme shows that companies with an Industrial PhD has a significant higher gross profit, patenting and employment rate than companies without. In addition, Industrial PhDs get a better salary and is more often employed in management positions than conventional PhDs, but to a lesser extent involved in research and development.
Find the publication here (PDF)
Industrial PhD – An efficient tool for innovation and knowledge transfer
Publication date: 29 March 2007
ISBN: 978-87-920-8115-5
Internet ISBN: 978-87-920-8116-2
Publisher: Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education
Publication year: 2007
Page number: 116
The Industrial Researcher Committee performs the professional assessment of all Industrial Researcher applications. The Committee processes applications within two months. The Committee may decide to procure additional information from the applicant for the assessment. If so, processing time may exceed two months.
Members of the Industrial Researcher Committee
Vice President Ingrid Sofie Harbo (Chairman)
H. Lundbeck A/S, Biometrics
Associate professor Christian Langhoff Thuesen (Vice chairman)
Technical University of Denmark, DTU Management Engineering
Director, Formulation and Biophysics Hanne B. Rasmussen
Novo Nordisk
Chief Data Scientist Tue Lehn-Schiøler
Danske Bank
Professor Ira Assent
Aarhus University, Department of Computer Science
Research Area Manager Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
Eriksholm Research Center, Oticon A/S
Professor Erik Lund
Aalborg University, Department of Materials and Production
Executive Vice President Mette Glavind
Technological Institute, Building and Construction
Professor Preben Elgaard Mogensen
Nokia Solutions and Networks and Aalborg University, Department of Electronic Systems
Specialist Jørgen Peter Jensen
COWI
Professor MSO René Chester Goduscheit
Aarhus University, Department of Business Development and Technology
Chief Specialist Philip C. Kjær
Vestas A/S and Aalborg University, The Faculty of Engineering and Science
Vice President Ole Kirk
Novozymes A/S
Professor Hanne Ingmer
University of Copenhagen, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology
Professor Martin R. Larsen
University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Head of Institute, Katrine Lotz
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape
Professor Lene Tanggaard
Aalborg University, Department of Communication and Psychology
Clinical Professor Ulrik Niels Lassen
University of Copenhagen, Department of Clinical Medicine
Associate Professor Britta Timm Knudsen
Aarhus University, School of Communication and Culture
Professor Peter Sestoft
IT-University of Copenhagen, Computer Science Department
Professor Brian Vejrum Wæhrens
Aalborg University, Department of Materials and Production
Professor Emeritus & Academic Director, Christer Karlsson
Copenhagen Business School, Department of Operations Management
Head of Centre Leif Højslet Christensen
Danish Technological Institute, Nano Production and Micro Analysis
Professor Mette Marie Rosenkilde
University of Copenhagen, Molecular Pharmacology
Senior Researcher Peter Koudahl
VIVE Children and Education
Professor Henrik Callesen
Aarhus University, Department of Animal Science - Molecular nutrition and reproduction
Senior Innovation Manager Anita Friis Sommer
LEGO Group
Nonclinical Project Director Lars Iversen
Novo Nordisk
Telephone: +45 6190 5002, phone time: 9 - 12 AM on weekdays
Mail: Erhvervsforsker@innofond.dk
We are closed for the holidays from 23 December 2019 to 3 January 2020.
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Tlf.: 6190 5002, mail: erhvervsforsker@innofond.dk
Erhvervsforsker-telefonen holder ferielukket i perioden fra og med 23. december 2019 til og med 3. januar 2020.
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