Jens Kehlet Nørskov appointed new chair of the Danish National Research Foundation

Press release: The minister of Higher Education and Science, Tommy Ahlers, has appointed Jens Kehlet Nørskov, a professor at DTU, as the new chair of the Danish National Research Foundation. Nørskov will assume the role of chair on January 1, 2019; he will succeed Professor Liselotte Højgaard.

On January 1, 2019, one of the world’s leading researchers on catalysis and a professor at DTU (Technical University of Denmark) Jens Kehlet Nørskov will become chair of the Danish National Research Foundation. The minister of Higher Education and Science, Tommy Ahlers, has appointed Nørskov as chair. Commenting on the choice, the minister said:

“Jens Kehlet Nørskov is undoubtedly one of Denmark’s most talented researchers, and someone of whom we in Denmark must be proud. He is internationally recognized for his research and is a highly competent leader. His is a strong profile that will now be at the forefront of the Danish National Research Foundation; he will work to ensure that we produce even more fundamental breakthroughs and to maintain Denmark as a leading research nation.”

Nørskov is internationally recognized for his research in catalysis, the process of using catalysts to control chemical processes, and his research has helped to establish a framework for the understanding of theoretical catalysis. Professor Nørskov’s own research focuses on how we can develop sustainable catalysts that can be used to catalyze processes that make the production of renewable energy far more effective. On his future role as chair of the DNRF, Professor Nørskov said:

“I am looking forward to working with the Danish National Research Foundation. The foundation may be the most important single contributor to the unique reputation that Danish research has internationally, and it is crucial that the successful work of the outgoing chair continues.”

Jens Kehlet Nørskov takes over the post as chair of the DNRF following Professor Liselotte Højgaard, who will complete a successful six-year period as chair on December 31.

“Professor Jens Kehlet Nørskov as new chair of the Danish National Research Foundation is the very best choice for the foundation and for Danish research. Jens is a world-class researcher with an international background, and he is the right choice for Danish basic research and Denmark. It is a privilege for the DNRF and the whole environment that Jens will take over January 1, 2019. I am very pleased to pass on the torch to such an excellent researcher and outstanding professional,” said Højgaard about the forthcoming chair of the DNRF.

Nørskov has previously headed a DNRF Center of Excellence

After eight years as a professor at the prestigious Stanford University, USA, Nørskov returned to Denmark and DTU in the summer of 2018 to head a new center for catalysis theory. Nørskov was previously employed at DTU from 1987-2010, where he established and headed the Center for Atomic-scale Materials Physics (CAMP) from 1993-2003, funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. When he returned to DTU this summer Nørskov said:

“There is no doubt that my time as head of center at CAMP created a very important basis for my future career. The research center the grant allowed us to build has had enormous significance for my work since then.”

The CEO of the DNRF, Søren-Peter Olesen, is looking forward to cooperating with the forthcoming chair.

“At the secretariat, we are very much looking forward to cooperating with Professor Nørskov. He is one of Denmark’s most internationally recognized researchers, and as a former head of a DNRF center, he has a thorough knowledge of the purpose and work of the Danish National Research Foundation.”

Throughout his career, Nørskov has received numerous honors for his research. Most recently, he became the 12th recipient of one of Denmark’s most prestigious research prizes in October 2018: the Niels Bohr Gold Medal. Over the years, the prize has been awarded to nine Nobel Prize winners, and Nørskov is the first Danish recipient since Niels Bohr himself received the gold medal in 1955.

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Contact:

Minister for Higher Education and Science Tommy Ahlers: Ministry’s media hotline: +45 7231 8181

Professor Jens Kehlet Nørskov, Chair of the Danish National Research Foundation as of 1 January 2019: jkno@dtu.dk

Professor Søren-Peter Olesen, CEO of the Danish National Research Foundation: tel. +358 2028 9706, e-mail: spo@dg.dk

Read more at the Ministry og Higher Education and Science here (Not available in English)