PhD scholarship in Understanding Pyrolysis Bio-Oil Hydrotreating – DTU Chemical Engineering

We offer you a unique opportunity to join the UpBio project with the purpose to increase and accelerate the utilization of advanced bio-oils. 

The objective of this PhD project is to increase the understanding of the complex hydrotreating process of advanced bio-oil through well-defined model compound studies. It is a further objective to increase the understanding of how the presence of selected inhibitors/poisons influence the hydrotreating of the main oxygenated compounds. Finally, it is the objective to develop a kinetic model to predict the hydrotreating of advanced bio-oils, including the influence of inhibitors. The partners in the project are Topsoe, Valmet, Alfa Laval, Maersk, Crossbridge Energy, Energy Cluster Denmark, Copenhagen University and DTU.

The candidate will interact closely with researchers from the partners, especially Topsoe and Copenhagen University. You will be based at DTU Chemical Engineering, at the CHEC research group in a dynamic international research environment. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
More specifically the position will involve the following tasks:

• A literature study of advanced bio-oil and model compound hydrotreating to provide the basis for the PhD study. 
• Systematic experimental studies of hydrotreating of mixtures of representative model compounds using a newly established continuous trickle-bed reactor setup comprising two reactors in series. Supplementary experiments in a batch reactor may also be performed. 
• Hydrotreating experiments in the presence of representative catalyst poisons in the form of relevant nitrogen containing species. Catalyst deactivation will also be investigated to understand the influence of the different model compounds on e.g. coking. 
• Development of a kinetic model for the reactions taking place during hydrotreating. The kinetic model should be implemented in a model for the trickle bed reactor including relevant mass transfer steps, and parameters in the kinetic model be estimated. 
• Testing of the kinetic model against data for hydrotreating of real advanced bio-oils.

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, within chemical engineering or possibly chemistry/physics and must have documented knowledge/experience in mathematical modeling of chemical processes/reactors. 

The candidate must be self-paced and highly ambitious with very good skills to collaborate with other researchers in UpBio and in the CHEC research center.

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 terms of employment
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 for 3 years, and the starting date is as soon as possible. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Anker Degn Jensen: +45 2217 1723, e-mail [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk/english. 

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 11 March 2025 (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.

At DTU Chemical Engineering it is our mission to develop and utilize knowledge, methods, technologies and sustainable solutions within: Chemical and biochemical process engineering and production, Design of chemical and biochemical products and processes, Energy and environment.

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.