PhD scholarship in Silicone Elastomers as Rubber Batteries – DTU Chemical Engineering

Are you intrigued by the many fascinating properties and advanced uses of polymers and elastomers?  Are you looking to establish yourself as a scientist? Then look no further! 

At the Danish Polymer Centre at the Technical University of Denmark, we are currently seeking a Ph.D. candidate to join a Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded project, “Rubber band batteries as a green alternative to existing batteries (RUBBA)”. The project includes partners from DTU Construct and Wollongong University, Australia. A six-month external stay in Australia is planned during the PhD.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The project’s focus will be the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel silicone polymers and elastomers. Tasks include synthesizing and preparing silicone polymer rings and using these rings to form ultra-stretchable elastomers. Tasks further include chemical and mechanical characterization. Furthermore, stretching devices for testing the elastomer materials and measuring their energy output will be designed and optimized with technicians and the other project participants.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who can work independently and in collaboration with colleagues and has excellent oral and written English skills. You should strive towards scientific excellence and be ambitious and hard-working. 

It is considered a significant plus if you have previous experience in silicone polymer and elastomer synthesis and characterization. 

The successful candidate furthermore has experience or background within one or preferably more of the below-mentioned areas:

• Organic and polymer synthesis
• Characterization of polymers, including spectroscopical techniques 
• Thorough knowledge of advanced NMR and DSC techniques
• A MSc background in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science

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 http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Professor Anne Ladegaard, [email protected] .

You can read more about The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at www.kt.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 3 April 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.