Would you like to contribute to solving some of the most critical challenges industrial coatings are facing today and are you looking for a carrier in R&D or academia? In this project, taking place in CoaST – DTU Coatings Science and Technology Centre - you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible with the aim of designing novel or improved organic, high-tech coatings. Our research approach is based on classical chemical engineering tools combined with formulation expertise and projects are often carried out, inspired by, or in close co-operation with industrial partners.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We offer you an opportunity to join DTU’s Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering as a PhD scholar starting in mid 2026. The available PhD position is within the following area:
Thermal infrared (IR) radiation plays a crucial role in both energy efficiency and thermal signature control. Coatings engineered to reflect IR radiation, while maintaining appropriate optical properties in other radiation ranges are increasingly required in passive cooling and in applications requiring tailored thermal emission. Advances in pigments, multilayer coating structures, and engineered surface morphologies offer new opportunities to tune reflectance and emittance in the IR regions. However, achieving scalable coatings with well-controlled and application-specific spectral behaviour across various wavelengths remains a significant scientific challenge.
In this project, using theoretical approaches and our fully equipped coatings laboratory, we will design, formulate and experiment with coatings for spectral control.
During the PhD study, you will:
- design a measurement set up
- formulate thermal IR coatings
- characterize the coating properties
- optimize the coatings for field applications
- write and publish three or more scientific articles.
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. (e.g.: a MSc degree equivalent to at least 5 years of studies including a BSc degree). Your master degree must be within the fields of Chemical Engineering, Coatings Technology, Materials Science, or a related engineering field. The project is mostly experimental but also involves for instance radiation theory.
You are newly graduated, or you might have experience from industry. We expect you to be able to handle and have an interest in experimental laboratory and formulation work. Experience with coatings may be an advantage.
You are curious by nature, visionary and thrive on turning exiting challenges into solutions based on curiosity and an open mind for entering new paths when necessary. You have a natural flair for driving things forward on you own, and you like to create results based on knowledge sharing and positive teamwork.
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.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here .
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Søren Kiil, sk@kt.dtu.dk
.
You can read more about DTU’s Department of Chemical and Bio-chemical Engineering at DTU Chemical Engineering.
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 7 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 short statement (up to 400 words) to outline your research interests and indicate the rationale behind your choice of the project (area of research).
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.
The Hempel Foundation Coatings Science and Technology Centre (CoaST) was established at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, as per 1 January 2017, based on a generous donation by the Hempel Foundation. CoaST Research Centre supports development, production and use of high performance organic coatings. Working along the whole value chain, CoaST research activities cover organic, polymer based coating technologies from raw materials over formulation, test and characterization to production and application. By joining CoaST you will become part of a highly ambitious young research team under continuous development and establishment. Our group includes around 25 PhD students and a total of about 55 members, creating a colorful and collaborative community. With more than 12 nationalities represented, we offer a truly international and intercultural environment where English is our shared working language.
The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research covers separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies.
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Lyngby-Taarbæk
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 07-05-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/7e01c25e-078c-4383-85b0-2a17e2e50ba0
