PhD scholarship in Physics-Informed Artificial Intelligence for Thermal Energy Storage - DTU Construct

Are you ready to launch your scientific career by addressing the urgent need of renewable energy integration? At DTU Construct you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible in the field of energy storage. 

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position within the fields of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and Artificial Intelligence at DTU, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Energy Section.

We look for a talented, self-motivated, and team-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys tackling complex topics. Your work will focus on developing physics-informed AI methods to enhance decision-making in design and operation of next generation thermal energy storage systems, such as latent heat TES and thermochemical TES. Your main supervisor will be Prof Adriano Sciacovelli and you will join the Thermal Energy Section at DTU Construct.

Your work will contribute to a paradigm shift in how complex TES systems are developed, modelled and controlled. You will create novel adaptative, physics-informed models that tightly integrate thermo-fluid dynamic laws, deep learning neural networks, and experimental data. A key objective is to surpass the current traditional thermodynamic and optimization approaches, which are constrained in design discovery capabilities and long-term TES performance evaluation. 

Through your research you will engage directly with national and international stakeholders including Danish Centre for Energy Storage and International Energy Agency initiative

Responsibilities and qualifications
The project involve conducting high-quality research at the intersection of thermo-fluids science, AI/machine learning and optimization. 

We envision that:

• You have an open mind and can think creatively in engineering, mathematical and programming contexts
• Your research will include extending and contributing to models and codes, including both high- and low-level programming languages, e.g. Python/Matlab to the development of machine learning frameworks
• You are eager to elaborate on the newest research results, improve ideas, and test/validate by engagement with national and international collaborators 

You will have solid background in preferably more than one of the following areas: 

• Thermodynamic analysis and simulation of energy technologies/processes/systems
• Programming tools such as Python, Matlab, Modelica, Pytorch, etc
• Optimization techniques (e.g. gradient-based, stochastic, linear programming) 
• Machine learning techniques
• Energy storage systems

Furthermore, a successful candidate has:

• Excellent use of the English language 
• Good ability to present results in oral presentations and prepare scientific papers for publication in international journals
• willingness to work in a team-oriented environment

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 Professor Adriano Sciacovelli, e-mail adrsc@dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Construct at https://construct.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 13 June 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
• A short PhD project proposal (maximum 2 pages plus references) describing a possible research objective, theoretical framework and intended methodological approach.

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.