Are you ready to drive building performance for the benefit of society as part of a sustainable technological transition?
If you are establishing your career as a scientist and seeking a world-class foundation to realize your ambition to transform the built environment, this is your opportunity. At Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (DTU Construct), you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of building science, moving beyond theoretical simulations to lead the mission of improving actual building operational performance.
As a researcher in the Section for Energy and Services, you will tackle the socio-techno-economical complexity of the built environment. Your vision is to close the “performance gap” by integrating Advanced HVAC System Design & Control, Cyber-Physical Modeling, and Autonomous Building Operation. By monitoring actual buildings, understanding their dynamic behavior through high-resolution real-life data and sophisticated thermal system modeling, you will develop actionable solutions where buildings act as flexible, responsive entities integrated within energy networks - specifically district heating - and wider urban infrastructures.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s expertise in closing the building “performance gap” through data-driven building operation optimization and system innovation. You will bridge advanced thermal modeling with real-world implementation, navigating the socio-techno-economic complexity of the built environment. Working across three integrated research pillars, Advanced HVAC System Design & Control, Cyber-Physical Modeling, and Autonomous Building Operation, you will lead the mission to transform buildings into active, efficient entities within wider energy ecosystems.
Your primary tasks will be to:
The academic and professional qualifications for this role include strong HVAC domain expertise, with in-depth knowledge of building physics, HVAC systems, and building automation systems, including experience in developing new system designs. You should also demonstrate extensive experience in mathematical modeling and simulation, particularly in applied grey-box modeling and thermal system simulation using Modelica, IDA-ICE, or Python. In addition, proven proficiency in advanced control and analytics is required, including advanced HVAC control strategies and the development of automated diagnostics/analytics for building systems. Experience within data science and IoT/Building automation systems is also essential, especially related to data acquisition and the analysis of high-resolution time-series data from sensors and smart meters. Finally, industry experience is expected, including knowledge of building operation management, building legislation, or significant experience from the building industry as a specialist or consultant.
With regard to personal and collaborative competencies, you should demonstrate scientific independence, including the ability to work independently, manage complicated scientific research projects, and establish a distinct research direction. A strong capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration is important, with the willingness and ability to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams bridging academia and industry. Excellent communication skills are required for high-impact scientific dissemination as well as industrial networking. Furthermore, you should possess a systemic vision, applying a system-thinking approach to energy infrastructure and demonstrating the ability to address multi-dimensional socio-technical and economic challenges.
You must contribute to the teaching of courses. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.
As formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).
You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:
Salary and terms of employment
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 position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here
You can read more about career paths at DTU here
Further information Further information may be obtained from Head of Section Toke Rammer Nielsen, DTU Construct, torni@dtu.dk
You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.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
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 6 July 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:
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 (DTU Construct) develops and utilises science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and the 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 mechanic, coastal and maritime engineering, 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.
