PhD scholarship in Development and Modelling of Natural Fibre Over-Moulding at Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Copenhagen, Capital, Denmark -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

22 Apr, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Mechanical engineering, Materials engineering, Polymer processing, Natural fibre composites, Digital manufacturing, Process modelling, Numerical simulation, Experimental laboratory work, Data analysis, In-situ process monitoring, Material characterisation, Industry 4.0, Digital twin, Uncertainty quantification

Industry

Research Services

Description

If you are building your career as a scientist in advanced manufacturing, materials innovation, or data‑driven process modelling – and you are looking for a PhD position where your work can shape the sustainable production technologies of tomorrow – this opportunity is for you. At DTU, you will push the boundaries of what is possible in polymer processing and natural fibre composites by developing next‑generation over‑moulding processes with real industrial impact. As a PhD student, you will work at the forefront of digital manufacturing research, combining experimental processing, material characterisation, simulation, and in‑situ process monitoring. You will collaborate closely with industry leaders and academic experts across Europe, gaining a unique profile that integrates scientific excellence with hands‑on industrial relevance - an ideal foundation for an ambitious research career. The PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network ‘ENDURE’ on Enabling Scaled Production of Durable Natural Fibre Components coordinated by the Technical University of Denmark. The PhD project is anchored at the Section of Manufacturing Engineering of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, where important societal challenge of increasing sustainability of production (both environmental and economic) sets the overall vision for the work in the section. This in particular involves adopting the Industry4.0 framework and establishing the digital twin of manufactured products by the combination of process monitoring by sensors and process modelling, See further information at https://endure.dtu.dk/ [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fendure.dtu.dk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cguto%40dtu.dk%7C0f2c29d7bcfc452a1af508de8bcf0243%7Cf251f123c9ce448e927734bb285911d9%7C0%7C0%7C639101918359933328%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cgjq6ZXQNqXGtSmbQcLgad9mIJL03q5PJcXjgNUJLAI%3D&reserved=0] and https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101227649 [https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101227649]. Responsibilities Your overall purpose will be to develop, model, and validate a novel over molding process for natural fiber materials (NFMs) that meets strict industrial requirements for adhesion, mechanical performance, and barrier properties. You will work at the intersection of experimental polymer processing, natural fiber composite engineering, digital manufacturing and simulation technologies. Through close collaboration with dedicated industrial and academic partners, you will generate new scientific insights and deliver actionable results that enable industrial implementation of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions. Your primary tasks will be to: * Develop and run laboratory scale over molding experiments with natural fiber materials * Characterize fiber distribution, adhesion, mechanical properties, and barrier performance * Develop and integrate simulation models for material behavior and over molding flow * Implement in situ process monitoring and analyze real time sensor data * Optimize processing parameters using modelling and data driven approaches * Validate models through iterative comparison with experiments and uncertainty quantification * Contribute to integration and demonstration of the developed process at industrial partners Qualifications To succeed in this role, you must have: * A two-year MSc degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in mechanical engineering, materials engineering, polymer engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related field * A strong foundation in materials processing, polymer/composite materials, or manufacturing technologies * Experience with experimental laboratory work and data analysis * Interest in numerical simulation and/or process modelling * The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international environment * Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken Important note = MSCA Eligibility – Mobility Rule Please note that this PhD position is funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA). Therefore, applicants must not have resided in Denmark or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays such as holidays, compulsory national service, or time spent as part of a refugee procedure are not taken into account. 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 [https://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules]. Assessment The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Guido Tosello and Associate Professor Sankhya Mohanty. 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 September 2026 (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 Guido Tosello (https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/guido-tosello/ [https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/guido-tosello/]), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Section of Manufacturing Engineering. You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.dtu.dk [http://www.construct.dtu.dk] and the Section at https://construct.dtu.dk/sections/manufacturing-engineering [https://construct.dtu.dk/sections/manufacturing-engineering]. If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark [https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/moving-to-denmark]. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar [https://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/moving-to-denmark/before-arrival/phd-relocation-to-denmark]” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and will be completed within May. Application procedure Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 May 2026 (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 copy of your BSc thesis (in pdf) * A copy of your MSc thesis (in pdf) * A copy of your scientific articles (if any) published so far (in pdf) 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 utilises science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and the 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 technical services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, coastal and maritime engineering, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering systems design, design for sustainability, and thermal energy. The Section for Manufacturing Engineering at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering performs theoretical, numerical, and experimental research in the field of manufacturing engineering. The Section covers a wide range of manufacturing processes and modelling approaches, metrology at all scales, micro/nano manufacturing, and additive manufacturing. DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829 DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Responsibilities

Develop, model, and validate a novel over-moulding process for natural fibre materials to meet industrial requirements for performance and sustainability. Collaborate with industrial and academic partners to integrate simulation models, sensor data, and experimental characterisation.