PhD scholarship in Advanced Modelling for Sustainable Chemical and Blend Design – DTU Chemical Engineering

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and looking to contribute to the decarbonization of maritime shipping, this might be an ideal project and position for you. At DTU Chemical Engineering, as part of the SEAFAIRER (Horizon Europe Innovation Action) project team, you will break new ground at the forefront of advanced biofuel technologies.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As our PhD candidate, you will be working independently with the research project in close collaboration with our research group and with other academic and industrial partners in Denmark, as well as abroad. To support your success, you will have access to DTU Chemical Engineering’s excellent laboratory facilities.

Your overall focus will be to conduct experiments on the blending process of biofuels with conventional marine fuels, to enable seamless integration with existing marine infrastructure.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design and conduct experiments on various advanced biofuel and fossil fuel blends
• Analyze and interpret complex data sets related to (bio-)fuel properties and performance, incl. in engine trials, high-pressure injection test rigs and engine component testing
• Develop models for predicting optimal blend ratios and characteristics
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers and industry partners
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals and hold presentations at conferences
• Help coordinate internal and external communications related to research and technical activities, including write-up of communication and dissemination materials for the project
• Assist in preparing technical reports, presentations, as well as project deliverables ensuring high standards of accuracy and presentation.

We seek a PhD candidate who has a strong background in fuel chemistry and preferably experience with biofuel production technologies, as well as with advanced analytical methods (e.g., GC-MS, HPLC). You are highly motivated, curious, and have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You are willing to contribute to teamwork through open communication, exchange of ideas and discussions to promote a work environment for individual and collective growth.

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 in chemical engineering, Chemistry, or a related field. 

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

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. Starting date is 1 May 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 Associate Professor Seyed Soheil Mansouri +45 45252907, ([email protected] ) and Research Assistant Jan Octavio Wilske ([email protected] ).

You can read more about DTU Chemical 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 8 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 

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.

DTU Chemical Engineering 
At the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering it is our main objective to meet today’s industrial challenges and create value through education, innovation and research. Our mission is 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, as well as 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.