211-2339/25-2H PhD Fellowships in Quantum Science and Technology

PhD Fellowships in Quantum Science and Technology
QISTgrad Individual PhD Projects
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invite applicants for a QISTgrad PhD fellowship with an individual project in quantum research. The fellowships are offered in The VILLUM Quantum Science and Technology Graduate Program, QISTgrad, which is financed by VILLUM Fonden.

Start date is 1 September 2026 unless otherwise agreed.

The project
During the next 5 years, UCPH and DTU in collaboration will offer a total of 24 fully funded PhD fellowships. The focus of the PhD is determined by the applicants themselves, with free choice of supervisor at either UCPH or DTU. The details of the project will be determined in conjunction with the chosen supervisor in the case that applicants successfully move to the final stage of the selection process. The project area is the broad scope of quantum science and technology and could be in, for example, physics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, or mathematics.

You do not need to find a supervisor prior to applying.

We are currently offering at least 4 positions with an expected start on 1 September 2026. Next call is anticipated in November 2026.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a curious mind with a interest in quantum research, theoretical or experimental innovation, and an aptitude for academic research. You should have a strong background in your field of interest and possess both creativity and drive.

You may have a MA or a MSc in any field as long as you have an idea of how to apply your scientific knowledge to quantum research or vice versa. If you have a Bachelor qualification or have not completeted a Masters program equivalent to a Danish 2-year (120 ECTS) Masters degree, you might like to enrol in a combined program with a Master of Science (MSc) in Quantum Information Science - Study Programmes on University of Copenhagen followed by a PhD.

Application Requirements
The primary objective is for you to show your creativity and aptitude for research, which is why we ask you to fill in the Questionnaire: Apply for fellowship – University of Copenhagen and add this to your application. Your answers should clearly demonstrate your research interests, experience and enthusiasm for the broad range of activities that comprise a PhD education.

Selection Process
The application process with proceed in three phases. All applications will be reviewed in phase one, and selected applicants will be shortlisted for assessment in phase two. In phase three, a number of qualified candidates will be invited for an interview successful applicants will then be assisted in finding supervisors and mentors, in consultation with the Selection Committee of the program, and be enrolled in the appropriate PhD-school at either UCPH or DTU: VILLUM Quantum Science and Technology Graduate Program – University of Copenhagen Both universities are located in greater area of Copenhagen, Denmark and you will be expected to relocate to Copenhagen.

The PhD programme
Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B (only possible at UCPH): An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to research in quantum science and technology. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at DTU or UCPH. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

You will be employed either by DTU or UPCH

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme (Only a possibility at UCPH)
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Quantum research (QIS) or related MSc programmes, such as Physics or Nanoscience.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: For UCPH www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is currently (2026) DKK 7,426 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme at UCPH)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in quantum research
• Good language skills

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Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• A filled in questionnaire (Apply for fellowship – University of Copenhagen )
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (max. four pages)
• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

The further process
After the deadline, a Selection Committee consisting of Researchers from both DTU and UCPH will assess the qualifications and experience and create a shortlist of applicants with respect to the above-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during spring of 2026

Please note that by applying for the QISTgrad Ph.D.-fellowship you grant UCPH and DTU the right to exchange your personal data.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact [email protected]

General information about PhD study at the UCPH is available at the PhD School’s website: https://science.ku.dk/phd/

General information about PhD study at the DTU is available a tGet a PhD education at DTU

The University of Copenhagen and Technical University of Denmark wishs to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 25-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-09-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Matematical Sciences