PhD scholarship in Data-Driven Design and Optimization of 4th Generation District Heating Networks - DTU Construct

Are you ready to push the boundaries of innovation and engineering excellence? Join our PhD program and tackle cutting-edge challenges in future district energy design. We seek a motivated candidate with a strong engineering background and a passion for research who is willing to combine modeling skills with experimental testing to be part of our joint research team in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (DTU Construct) and the BUILD Department of Aalborg University.

PhD Opportunity
This project offers an exclusive PhD opportunity as part of an EUDP-funded initiative. You will be part of a unique team that includes utility companies, district energy components manufacturers, and national experts in district energy technology. 

The project will investigate innovative data-driven services that can improve the current design procedures in the district energy industry and optimize future operations in 4GDH. 

Your PhD project will be part of a collaborative R&D effort with the potential to drive significant advancements in science and industry. As a key member of a unique team, you will contribute to pioneering solutions that address real-world challenges and shape the future of sustainable district energy systems.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The project will combine theoretical and analytical thermodynamic skills with on-field instrumentation of substations and heating systems in buildings connected to district heating networks to monitor and collect detailed measurements necessary to validate the innovative data-driven methodologies. You will work with nearby colleagues and academics at DTU Construct, AAU BUILD, and industrial partners in Denmark.

The ideal candidate should have: 

• Deep Knowledge of thermodynamics, hydronic heating and cooling in buildings, domestic water installations. 
• Computational modeling skills in energy systems, preferably for heating and cooling systems (i.e., Modelica, TRNSYS, BSim, etc)
• Experience in laboratory activities and field measurement campaigns will be highly valued 
• Data processing, interpretation, and visualization will be highly beneficial
• A background in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, energy engineering, or a related field

The candidate should possess high ambition, adaptability, organizational skills, and critical thinking. It will also be expected to present results through technical reports and produce scientific papers for publication in international conferences and journals. 

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 . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by a team part of the Energy & Services Section at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (DTU Construct) and AAU BUILD. Associate Professor Michele Tunzi (DTU Construct) will be the main supervisor, and Associate Professors Michal Zbigniew Pomianowski (AAU BUILD) and Rasmus Lund Jensen will be the co-supervisors. 

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.

The starting date is soonest possible, (according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position. 

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Michele Tunzi, [email protected]  or Associate Professor Michal Zbigniew, mzp@build. Pomianowski aau.dk .

You can read more about DTU Construct at  https://construct.dtu.dk/   and AAU BUILD at www.en.build.aau.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 18 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.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems. 

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.