Science Hub Denmark – a new initiative launched to attract top international researchers to Denmark

While Danish research excels in several areas, this excellence isn't necessarily known in other countries, where many skilled researchers are located. Consequently, Denmark isn't on their radar when they seek new avenues for their research careers. Danish research is so to speak 'quietly brilliant'. 

To address this issue, three of Denmark's largest research-focused foundations have teamed up with Copenhagen Capacity to attract researchers from abroad to Danish universities.  

A feasibility study conducted in 2023 on behalf of the Villum Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Lundbeck Foundation indicates significant potential in a concerted national effort to showcase Danish research and the opportunities for research careers in Denmark. The conclusions from the feasibility study were presented to the Rector's College in Danish Universities in October 2023, receiving strong support.

The strategic initiative is now launched in April 2024 as a 3-year pilot project under the name 'Science Hub Denmark,' focusing on three key areas: Power-to-X, Biosolutions, and Neuroscience. The aim is to increase the international visibility of Danish research and thereby promote career opportunities in natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences.

Science Hub Denmark will draw on many years of experience with digital recruitment campaigns from 'Talent to Denmark,' conducted by Copenhagen Capacity, which has led Denmark's efforts for the past decade to help Danish companies access international talent. Nikolaj Lubanski, COO at Copenhagen Capacity, will lead the recruitment campaigns and states:

“This initiative is a response to the realization that Danish research is of high quality internationally, but unfortunately does not have the desired international visibility. This project aims to address that. Science Hub Denmark will therefore work specifically to increase visibility and attract relevant talent primarily by building digital communication channels.”

The Technical University of Denmark, DTU, also looks forward to the initiative:

“Denmark is in a fantastic position to take a leading role in Power-to-X and pave the way for new Danish business successes. To realize the potential, we need to promote Denmark internationally to attract the very best researchers. Therefore, the Science Hub Denmark initiative comes at a perfect time for the Pioneer Center CAPeX as we are in the process of recruiting a number of PhDs, postdocs, and tenure track professors – or 'Power2Xperts' as we call them,” says Tejs Vegge, Professor at DTU Energy and Director of CAPeX

The ambition of Science Hub Denmark is to deliver results and create value at three levels:

Firstly, by increasing general visibility and awareness to a broad audience abroad, by creating a shared narrative about the attractiveness of Danish research and pursuing a career in Denmark. Such a shared narrative simply doesn't exist today.

Secondly, by enhancing individual interest and engagement from relevant researchers and research environments abroad through digital campaigns. This includes providing additional information to researchers about Danish research in specific fields, scientific activities, relevant job postings, webinars, online discussions, etc.

Finally, through interaction and establishing direct contact between the researchers in other countries and Danish research environments. Many research environments express in the feasibility study that they receive skilled applicants for most positions but would also like to see a stronger field with broader diversity in terms of gender, expertise, and cultural background.

The three foundations have allocated a total of 15 million for the project, which will be evaluated after 2.5 years to decide whether the initiative should continue and, if so, with which measures.

About Copenhagen Capacity and Talent to Denmark 

For 30 years, Copenhagen Capacity has been working to attract international companies, investments, and professional talents to ensure innovation and growth in Denmark and the Greater Copenhagen area. Copenhagen Capacity is a leading partner in the national Talent to Denmark collaboration, which promotes Denmark as an attractive talent destination. Over the past 6 years, Talent to Denmark has attracted several thousand highly qualified employees to Danish companies through international recruitment campaigns. Read more here.