PhD scholarship in Prototyping platform for real-time analysis for ultrafast SAXS/WAXS on fibres, composites and polymer film - DTU Energy

If you are establishing your career as scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, it is right here in front of you. At DTU ENERGY you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible with integration of advanced characterization methods for in-line monitoring of industrial processes.

Your PhD project will be part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Network (MSCA DN) “Real-time characterization of anisotropic carbon-based technological fibres, films and composites” (RELIANCE). The network is concerned with R&D and training in X-ray imaging and scattering tools and its applications in materials and information science. The network constitutes 14 PhD candidates in total. You can find information on all the projects and the network here: https://www.chalmers.se/en/projects/reliance/

Via the mandatory network training provided by RELIANCE, you will participate in summer schools, workshops, and scientific meetings together with top scientists and your 13 fellow PhD students in the RELIANCE network. You will also carry out a secondment to an industry partner.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will first develop a detailed virtual prototype of a laboratory based SAXS/WAXS instrument using and extending existing simulation tools and with input from the industry partners, Xenocs S. A. Based on the results of state-of-the art experimentation identifying the scattering fingerprints, done in collaboration with a fellow doctoral candidate, the virtual instrumentation will be used to test the impact of instrumental parameters on optimizing data acquisition time while retaining the necessary precision and quantitative characterization capability.

The optimized prototype will be implemented based on an existing hardware platform with extensive modification of components and subsystems to accommodate the real-time requirements, and the need for integration with a materials processing environment.

You will demonstrate the solution in an operational environment accomplished by integration with equipment and samples that simulate realistic industrial processing.

The methods that you will use include:

• Programming of simulations of X-ray scattering instrumentation using Python or Matlab
• Setup of X-ray instrumentation to be applied to realistic processing emulation for fibre and composite manufacturing
• Implementation of machine learning algorithms for ultrafast data analysis feeding back to processing control parameters, in collaboration with experts in artificial intelligence

Experience and qualifications with X-ray scattering methods is a requirement.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

You can apply before obtaining the degree, providing the expected graduation date.

To be supported by the project, you must be a doctoral candidate, i.e. you should not already have a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. 

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment will be made by a recruitment committee consisting of the main supervisor, Jens Wenzel Andreasen, co-supervisors Lars Pilgaard Mikkelsen and Vedrana Andersen Dahl, and Head of Section Luise Theil Kuhn.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The salary and appointment terms will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. 

The minimum yearly salary before tax and pension contribution will comprise a living allowance of € 53856 and a mobility allowance of € 7200. An additional allowance of € 7920 may be payable but is dependent on individual family circumstances. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is April 1st 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Jens Wenzel Andreasen, +45 21 32 63 01, [email protected]  

You can read more about DTU ENERGY at www.energy.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 23 October 2024 (23:59Danish time) .

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • In your application, please reply to the following:
    • Do you have documented experience with Small and Wide Angle X-ray or neutron Scattering (SAXS/SANS/WAXS)?
    • Do you have documented experience with X-ray tomography?
    • Do you have experience with synchrotron radiation experimentation?
    • Do you have international experience?
    • Do you have experience with scientific computing using e.g. Matlab or python programming?
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• You are encouraged to also include your master thesis

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Energy is focused on education, research, and development within functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technologies. In a sustainable energy system, a large part of the energy will be supplied by fluctuating sources such as solar and wind power. This makes it critically important to be able to convert and store the energy as needed. Our research areas include fuel and electrolysis cells, solar cells, and batteries as well as advanced filtration devices. We are ca. 250 employees. Additional information about the department can be found on http://www.energy.dtu.dk

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.