The Section for Structures and Safety at DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department is looking for an ambitious, motivated and skilled PhD student eager to dedicate three years to the diagnosis and prognosis of fatigue damage in steel structures, with emphasis on steel bridges.

Over the past century, steel has been the backbone of structures and infrastructures. Much of this built stock is reaching or has exceeded its design lifetime while being exposed to harsher operational conditions than originally designed for. Fatigue, where repetitive loads initiate and propagate cracks, is a key challenge in this aging era, undermining the functionality, safety and longevity of critical steel infrastructure. There is an urgent need to advance monitoring, diagnosis and prognosis methods that can reliably assess fatigue damage and predict remaining lifetime, enabling proactive maintenance strategies that extend service life and reduce CO2 emissions.

Through this PhD scholarship, you will contribute to the development of a multi-component framework for reliable and computationally efficient fatigue diagnosis and prognosis of steel structures. Building on the group's established expertise in virtual sensing and multi-fidelity modelling, your research will advance and integrate three core elements: (i) physics-based multi-fidelity structural models enabling high-resolution analysis at fatigue-prone hot-spots while maintaining computational efficiency through lower-fidelity simulation of non-critical regions, (ii) virtual sensing techniques for load and stress estimation from limited and optimally placed sensor data, and (iii) sophisticated fatigue analysis models combining advanced fracture mechanics with crack initiation and growth simulation. Additionally, you will explore fatigue mitigation strategies aimed at stress relaxation in fatigue-prone areas, minimizing material consumption and maximizing structural efficiency. The diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of the developed framework can be verified through simulated and/or laboratory-generated data.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary responsibilities and tasks include:

• Development and advancement of multi-fidelity finite element models of steel structures with emphasis on fatigue hot-spot modelling, building on existing in-house methods
• Load and stress estimation using virtual sensing techniques (e.g., Kalman Filters) combined with multi-nature sensing data from optimally chosen locations
• Development and application of advanced fracture mechanics models for crack initiation, growth simulation and remaining fatigue life prediction
• Exploration of fatigue mitigation strategies for stress relaxation at fatigue-prone locations, with focus on material efficiency
• Integration of the above components into a coherent diagnostic and prognostic framework
• Preparation of scientific publications and effective presentation of research findings at international conferences and workshops
• Support of relevant teaching activities at DTU's Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department
• Co-supervision of BSc and MSc projects complementary to this PhD project

Candidate Profile
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.

You should be a motivated candidate with a background in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering fields. Additionally, you should be equipped with the following qualifications and technical skills:

• Solid background in Structural Dynamics and Finite Element Modelling.
• Knowledge of or strong interest in Fracture Mechanics and fatigue analysis.
• Experience in coding (e.g., Python) and in the use of structural analysis software (e.g., Abaqus, OpenSees) is desirable.
• Familiarity with virtual sensing techniques, state estimation methods or Kalman Filters is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in planning and executing computational research.
• Creative, innovative and driven by scientific curiosity.
• Willingness to join secondments in academic and/or industrial environments.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to contributing to interdisciplinary research and collaborative projects.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

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 applicants will be undertaken by the members of the supervisory team embracing this PhD scholarship.

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. The expected starting date for the PhD scholarship is 1 November 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 Associate Professor Evangelos Katsanos from DTU - Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at [email protected].

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://construct.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 2 September 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
• List of Publications (if any)
• Evidence of English proficiency.
• Any additional material useful for the assessment of your application (e.g., recommendation letters, research project/statement in agreement with the requirements specified above).

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis

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 utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and 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 services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

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.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2026-09-02T21:59:00+00:00