PhD Student in PHA Processing and Modification by Reactive Extrusion - DTU Chemical Engineering

If you are excited by doing reactive extrusion, online monitoring and materials characterization for renewable polymer systems such as PHAs, this could be the PhD project for you.

Responsibilities and qualifications

The objective of this PhD project is to develop next-generation polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) compounds through advanced polymer processing, formulation, and reactive extrusion. The project will focus on improving processability and performance while establishing relationships between formulation, processing history, polymer structure, and final material properties.

As a PhD student, you will prepare and process new PHA formulations using extrusion-based methods, investigate reactive processing and novel additive concepts, and evaluate compounds for injection moulding, extrusion, and blow moulding. You will combine offline polymer characterization with online and in-line analytical methods to monitor changes during processing and support adaptive control of composition and process conditions.

We are therefore looking for candidates with

• Practical experience in polymer processing, preferably extrusion or reactive extrusion, obtained through MSc studies or equivalent research activities.
• A strong interest in biopolymers (natural polymers), polymer formulation, compounding, and structure-property-processing relationships.
• Hands-on experience with polymer characterization, particularly FTIR, rheology, DSC, TGA, and NMR.
• Experience with Raman spectroscopy, online analysis, or process monitoring, which will be considered an advantage.
• Experience with injection moulding, film or profile extrusion, or blow moulding, which will be considered an advantage.
• The ability to plan experimental work independently and collaborate effectively across polymer chemistry, processing, and analytical disciplines.
• An interest in teaching and supervising student projects as part of the PhD programme.

The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the processing and stabilization of PHA-based materials and to deliver high-performance compounds designed for safe handling, demanding processing routes, and environmentally benign end-of-life scenarios.

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 applications will be conducted immediately after the deadline, and we expect to call for interviews in November.

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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures .

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 Anders E. Daugaard, [email protected] .

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 24 November 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 table providing an overview of your prior experience in processing and synthesis (method and application) and characterization methods you are familiar with (both in practice and theory)

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 Chemical Engineering conducts experiments at microscale, at laboratory scale, in pilot facilities and at industrial scale. The department enjoys a very close and mutually beneficial relationship with Danish-based industrial enterprises as well as leading universities and enterprises from all over the world.

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.