PhD scholarship in Polymer Nanofiber Membrane from Recycled Membrane Waste Materials - DTU Sustain

Are you passionate about tackling the impact of membrane solutions and their production and use impacts? At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), we are offering a fully funded PhD position focused on a circular approach to membrane technologies – transforming membrane waste (after lifetime) into functional polymer nanofiber membranes for the water and food industries. This is a highly interdisplinary projects where the PhD student will learn and develop skills in sustainable material design, membrane technologies, prospective life cycle assessment, and industrial innovation.

This PhD opportunity is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, a European training network committed to advanced MEMbrane technologies for water and food industries. Through combining material science and membrane processes, you will develop next-generation upcycling technology for the membrane industry. Moreover, you will be in close collaboration with other PhDs in the UP2MEM projects, e.g., PhDs at DTU working on prospective LCA to identify environmental hotspots and potential improvements, which will guide the choice of materials and energy sources as the project evolves.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a PhD candidate, your work will provide technological solutions to the membrane industry on the sustainable upcycling of membrane waste. This will involve close collaboration with both academic researchers and industry experts across Europe.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct analysis of polymer membrane waste materials
• Develop electrospinning methods to produce nanofiber membranes based on the polymer materials and structures.
• Evaluate the membrane performance for water treatment and food production.
• Collaborate with the other PhD candidate at DTU Sustain in the UP2MEM project and provide inputs for a Prospective Life Cycle Assessment (pLCA) and evaluate the environmental sustainability of new membrane solutions.
• Collaborating with fellow researchers across the UP2MEM network
• Participating in secondments at industry partners and conducting a research stay at partner University.

We consider the following qualifications advantageous:

• Master's degree in the fields of material science and engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
• Experience with polymer materials, membranes or waste materials.
• Prior experience in EU-funded or other international research collaborations.
• A proactive and independent work style.
• A collegial and open mindset, with a genuine interest in contributing to a positive, inclusive, and knowledge-sharing research environment.

Please be aware that according to MSCA rules, you cannot have resided or carried out main activities in Denmark for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the call deadline.

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 preferably 1 April 2026 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Wenjing (Angela) Zhang ([email protected]) (main-supervisor, DTU), Anders Damgaard ([email protected]) (co-supervisor, DTU Sustain).

You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.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 15 December 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.

DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

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.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2025-12-15T22:59:00+00:00