Jan Skov Pedersen has a BSc degree in Physics and Mathematics from Copenhagen University in 1983, an MSc degree in Physics in 1985, and a PhD in 1988 from the same University. He worked 1988-2000 as Scientist and Senior Scientist at Risø National Laboratory, and became full professor at Aarhus University in 2000 in Physical Chemistry.
In his research, he strives to explain properties of complex materials by revealing the structure on length scales that are too small to be observed by usual light microscopes. Therefore he employs scattering techniques that involves X-ray and neutron, which can interact with the material and form interference patterns that contains information on the structure down to the size of small molecules.
His research area includes complex self-assembling systems as formed for example by enzymes and soap molecules, solution structure of large biological protein complexes, polymer science, and physics of biological systems. Jan is a true pioneer in the use of scattering methods based on X-ray and neutrons, in particular small-angle scattering (SAXS/SANS) that allows us to study the molecular organization and structural evolution at the nanoscale and at time scales down to 1/1000 of a second. This allows us follow complex chemical reactions and biomolecular processes in situ which is equally important in e.g. materials sciences as to understand serious diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Through his work over more than three decades he has been one of the major drivers internationally in the development of advanced theoretical models and computer simulation techniques for analysis of the scattering data. His seminal work constitute a pillar that is nowadays used as standard methods in the analysis of data from lab X-rays sources as well as large scale synchrotron and neutron scattering across scientific communities around the world.
His work has so far led to more than 400 publications and > 19000 citations. Skov Pedersen received the Carlsberg Chemistry Prize in 2007 and ‘Elastyrenprisen’ (Danish Polymer Prize) in 2011. He was awarded a knighthood in 2010 by the Danish Queen Margrethe II.