PhD scholarship in Polymer Chemistry - DTU Energy

Do you want to be part of the development of core technologies of the green transition? This PhD scholarship offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of functional polymer development for the next-generation alkaline water electrolysis cells.  

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your research will contribute to deepening our understanding of the relationships between chemical structure, stability and transport properties of functional polymers in alkaline environment. The work will include synthesis and modification of monomers and polymers. It also involves polymer processing and characterization at polymer and material level using multiple techniques. Your primary tasks will include:

• Synthesis of monomers and polymers
• Polymer processing and film formation
• Physicochemical and electrochemical characterization
• Stability studies and investigation of degradation mechanisms

You have an academic background in synthetic organic chemistry or polymer chemistry. To be successful in this role you also need to: 

• Be driven by curiosity and have a genuine interest in applied chemistry
• Have an eye for detail
• Be willing to learn and to develop new experimental methods
• Have a pro-active way of thinking and acting
• Be good at documenting, communicating, and reporting your work in English

The scholarship is offered in close collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) as part of a strategic alliance between the two institutions. You will collaborate with a matching PhD student IITB, and you are expected to have an external research stay at IITB as part of the project. 

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.

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 . 

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 appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher David Aili, [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 2 December 2024 (23:59 Danish 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)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

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, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

About DTU Energy
The Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) focuses on research and development of functional materials, components, and systems for sustainable energy technologies. The technologies include fuel cells, electrolysis, power-to-x, batteries, and carbon capture. The research is based on strong competences in materials chemistry, electrochemistry, atomic scale and multi-physics modeling, autonomous materials discovery, materials processing, and structural analyses. We also focus on educating engineering students at all levels, ranging from BSc, MSc, PhD to lifelong learning students. We have about 270 dedicated employees. Read more about us at  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.