Professor Brian Bech Nielsen took office as Rector at Aarhus University in August 2013. From 2010-2013 Brian Bech Nielsen was Dean at the largest faculty at Aarhus University, The Faculty of Science and Technology. Prior to that he headed the department of Chemistry, the department of Physics and Astronomy, and was Vice Director of the interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO).

Professor Brian Bech Nielsen holds a Ph.D. in physics and was appointed professor in 2007 at the department of Physics and Astronomy. He is the author or co-author of 98 peer-reviewed publications.

Brian Bech Nielsen has substantial experience in executive management and international research. Over the past 20 years, Brian Bech Nielsen has held a number of positions of trust in higher education and science and has served on the board of directors in several private companies.