Are you motivated to develop advanced modelling tools for the green transition of one of the world’s most CO₂-intensive industries?
This PhD position offers an opportunity to work at the interface of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), high-temperature process engineering, carbon capture, and sustainability analysis for cement production.
You will contribute to the INNO-CCUS-funded CAP-FLEX project, which aims to develop a novel calcination technology that can be integrated into existing cement plants to produce a concentrated CO₂ stream from cement raw meal. The technology builds on the pulse-fluidized FUELFLEX(r) Pyrolyser developed by Fuller Technologies and combines flexible heat input from electric heating and oxyfuel combustion.
The PhD project is a collaboration between DTU Chemical Engineering, DTU Sustain, Fuller Technologies, and other project partners. It covers two connected modelling tracks: CFD/process modelling anchored at DTU Chemical Engineering and system/sustainability modelling in collaboration with DTU Sustain. The CFD model will describe gas–solid flow, heat transfer, combustion, and calcination, while the system model will assess environmental, economic, and societal implications.
You will develop and validate CFD and engineering models using experimental, pilot-scale, and industrial data generated in the project. You will also be involved in data collection and analysis. The models will support process design, operation, optimization, and scale-up of the calcination technology, and contribute to life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, and broader system analysis.
You will join an interdisciplinary and industry-oriented research environment with close interaction between academic and industrial partners. The project combines fundamental modelling, experimental validation, sustainability assessment, and industrial scale-up, giving you a strong platform to develop scientific and applied competences in sustainable high-temperature processes, carbon capture technologies, and system analysis for the green transition.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall responsibility will be to develop CFD and system modelling tools to support the design, optimization, scale-up, and sustainability assessment of a novel calcination technology for CO₂ capture in cement production.
Your primary tasks will include:
- Develop and validate CFD models for gas–solid flow, heat transfer, oxyfuel combustion, electric heating, and calcination
- Use CFD and engineering models to analyze key process parameters and support process design, operation, optimization, and scale-up
- Contribute to system-level assessment of the technology, including life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, and sustainability analysis
- Publish results in scientific journals and present your work at project meetings and international conferences
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, process engineering or a related field.
Experience with one or more of the following areas will be an advantage:
- CFD modelling of multiphase reactive flows
- High-temperature processes, combustion, calcination, cement production, or carbon capture
- Life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, system analysis, or sustainability assessment
You should be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with academic and industrial partners. Good written and spoken English skills are required.
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 applicants will be made by Prof. Hao Wu from DTU Chemical Engineering and Associate Professor Daniel Fozer from DTU Sustain.
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: 1 October 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 Prof. Hao Wu (haw@kt.dtu.dk) and Associate Professor Daniel Fozer (danfo@dtu.dk).
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 15 August 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
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 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 cover separation processes, bioprocesses, bioengineering, bioconversions, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, a.o. 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:
DTU Chemical Engineering, Kolonnevej B, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 15-08-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/4fda0be8-d0ae-4261-90d3-c77011a3707b
