PhD Position in Power-to-X: Experimental and AI-Driven Optimization of Green Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuel Production

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), renowned for its pioneering research and innovative educational approaches, is home to the dynamic Centre for Industrial Mechanics. This center is an integral part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, situated in the vibrant city of Sønderborg. Together, they form a hub of technological advancement and interdisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to solving the complex challenges of today's rapidly evolving engineering landscape. In line with our commitment to excellence and our mission to contribute to sustainable solutions for the future, we are excited to announce an open call for one or more distinguished PhD student position in mechanical engineering, with a focus on Power-to-X technologies.

The selected candidate will embark on a research journey within a supportive and resource-rich environment, characterized by state-of-the-art facilities and a network of leading academics and industry professionals. We are looking for a passionate and driven individual who is ready to delve into innovative research projects, aiming to push the boundaries of mechanical and chemical engineering. The starting date for this position is flexible, with a preference for September 2025, allowing the successful applicant to integrate smoothly into our academic calendar and commence their research activities at an optimal time.

Unique opportunity

The Centre for Industrial Mechanics focuses on mechanics integrated with mechatronics. This presents a unique opportunity for you to be part of the centre’s inception and to influence its development directly. We are currently evolving our mechanical engineering degree program and constructing labs to support both educational activities and research.

Workplace description

The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at SDU is dedicated to a broad spectrum of research and education, from fundamental principles to engineering applications, with all courses conducted in English to accommodate the international composition of students and staff. The Centre for Industrial Mechanics, situated within the Alsion building on SDU's picturesque Sønderborg campus, acts as a hub for science, culture, and learning. The Centre benefits from SDU’s strong industry connections in Southern Denmark and Northern Germany, including collaborations with leading companies in sectors like e-mobility, automation, climate solutions, and energy efficiency.

Research at the Centre encompasses a diverse array of fields such as cyber-physical systems, mechanical structure integrity, renewable energy systems, artificial intelligence, and mechatronic prototyping, conducted by teams of scientists and support staff. The ideal PhD candidate will be expected to engage in high-quality research, contribute to international conferences, publish in reputable journals, and participate in selected teaching activities, demonstrating a strong ambition and commitment to advancing the field.

Project Summary

This PhD project is part of SDU’s strategic effort to advance PtX technologies through experimental validation and intelligent control. The research combines hands-on laboratory work with AI-based approaches to optimize the production of hydrogen and its conversion into ammonia and methanol. In particular, Reinforcement Learning (RL) and other AI tools will be applied to develop adaptive control strategies that respond to real-time electricity inputs and operational constraints.

Key Research Objectives:

1. Experimental Research on Electrolyzers: Design, operate, and analyze lab-scale Alkaline and PEM electrolyzers to assess performance, efficiency, and dynamic behavior under fluctuating input power.
2. Synthetic Fuel Synthesis: Investigate catalytic and process parameters for ammonia and methanol production using green hydrogen. Focus areas include reactor design, heat integration, and energy efficiency.
3. Electricity Market and Sector Coupling: Implement market-based operation strategies for PtX systems by incorporating electricity price signals, demand-response mechanisms, and time-of-use optimization.
4. AI-Driven Optimization using Reinforcement Learning: Apply RL algorithms to develop and train agents that optimize power allocation, start-up/shutdown sequences, and operational planning of PtX systems in response to dynamic market and process conditions.
5. System Integration and Digital Twin Development: Combine experimental results with AI models and system simulations to create a digital twin of the PtX process for predictive optimization and scenario analysis.

Funding

This PhD position is generously funded through the Villum Young Investigator program, under the project title "DDPTX: Deciphering the Dynamics of Power-to-X Systems." This funding is provided by VILLUM FONDEN, a prestigious foundation known for its support of scientific research and innovation. The Villum Young Investigator grant signifies a commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in the field of Power-to-X systems. It provides a robust support structure for the PhD candidate to undertake ambitious research aimed at deciphering the dynamics of PtX systems, contributing to sustainable energy solutions and environmental stewardship.

Duties of the position

1. Conduct Research on Power-to-X Systems: Carry out innovative and interdisciplinary research focused on green hydrogen production and synthetic fuel synthesis. The research involves both experimental and AI-driven modeling approaches aligned with the project's objectives.
2. Design and Execute Experiments:  Set up, operate, and analyze laboratory experiments related to Alkaline and PEM electrolyzers, and synthetic fuel reactors. Tasks include gas handling, system diagnostics, thermal integration, and performance evaluation under variable power inputs.
3. Data Analysis and Machine Learning: Collect and process experimental and simulation data. Use machine learning techniques to identify trends, forecast behavior, and optimize performance metrics in PtX systems.
4. Publish Research Findings: Disseminate research outcomes through high-quality journal publications and presentations at international conferences, workshops, and symposia.
5. Collaborate with Academic and Industrial Partners: Work closely with supervisors, postdocs, and industrial partners to align research activities with real-world applications. Contribute to collaborative project meetings and joint research efforts.
6. Participate in Training and Skill Development: Engage in relevant training activities to build competencies in experimental techniques, AI modeling, electricity markets, and synthetic fuel processes. Attend internal and external workshops, seminars, and courses.
7. Contribute to Teaching and Supervision: Support educational activities by assisting in teaching, mentoring BSc/MSc students, or contributing to course material development related to energy systems and PtX technologies.
8. Engage with the Scientific and Industrial Community: Actively participate in relevant academic and industrial networks. Attend events, workshops, and technical forums to enhance project impact and identify new collaboration opportunities.
9. Report Progress and Ensure Alignment: Provide regular progress updates to supervisors and stakeholders. Prepare milestone reports and presentations to track achievements and identify any challenges during the project lifecycle.

The candidate must have:

We are seeking a highly motivated and interdisciplinary researcher with the following qualifications:

A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

Solid experimental experience with electrochemical systems, gas handling, or chemical reactors.

Familiarity with Alkaline and PEM electrolyzer operation and diagnostics.

Interest and basic understanding of electricity markets and flexible energy systems.

Prior exposure to AI techniques, preferably Reinforcement Learning (e.g., Q-learning, Deep Q-Networks) or other control algorithms.

Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar for data analysis, modeling, or AI implementation.

Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Fulfill the requirements of the PhD school at the faculty of engineering

For further information, please visit www.sdu.dk/ime and https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/cim and contact Associate Professor Lars Duggen, Head of Centre for Industrial Mechanics, tel. +45 6550 1640, e-mail: duggen@sdu.dk or Associate Professor Ali Khosravi, tel. +45 6550 1887, e-mail: alkh@sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk. 

Application procedure

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include: 

Motivated application. 

Curriculum Vitae.

• Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official English translation).  

Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.

Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 

An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 

Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.

List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included. 

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file). 

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

The application deadline is June 25, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.138DKR. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.  

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

-

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
Read about SDU