PhD scholarship in Intelligent Design and Production of Next Generation Sustainable Fuels - DTU Chemical Engineering

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and looking to be on the forefront of decarbonisation and climate action, this is an opportunity to break new ground in advanced biofuel production technology.

Responsibilities
As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to developing innovative AI-assisted methods for optimizing advanced biofuel production and blending processes. Your work will support the SEAFAIRER (Horizon Europe Innovation Action) project, aiming to enable seamless integration of sustainable fuels into existing marine infrastructure. The research will combine experimental data with advanced modelling and machine learning techniques to accelerate biofuel innovation.

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:

• Develop and apply AI/ML models for optimizing biofuel blend properties, performance, and compatibility with marine engines
• Design and conduct experiments to generate high-quality datasets on biofuel and fossil fuel blends, supporting model training and validation
• Integrate process modelling and data analytics tools to identify optimal blending strategies and production pathways
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets related to fuel characteristics, combustion behaviour, and emissions, including from high-pressure injection tests and engine component assessments
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers and industry partners
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals and hold presentations at conferences
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, as well as project deliverables ensuring high standards of accuracy and presentation.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with a background in chemical engineering, process systems engineering, data science, or related fields.

• Familiarity with biofuel production technologies and fuel chemistry is desirable.
• Experience or keen interest in applying machine learning, AI, or statistical modelling to chemical or energy systems.
• Practical skills in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and data analysis tools are considered a strong asset.
• Motivation to work independently and collaboratively, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and an openness to interdisciplinary teamwork

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. Starting date is 1 October 2025. This position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Seyed Soheil Mansouri +45 45252907, (seso@kt.dtu.dk) and Project Manager Daniel Pichler (danpich@kt.dtu.dk).

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 4 July 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 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.