Job Description

If you are eager to kick-start your scientific career in sustainable recycling of steel, this is an opportunity to investigate the effect of tramp elements, accumulating during recycling, on the properties of cast iron and steel. At DTU you will work with the most modern methods, leading researchers and industries to analyse how tramp elements accumulate and interact to influence the properties of iron and steel produced from recycled steel.

Applications are invited for a 3-year Ph.D. position starting in January 2027 within experimental and thermodynamic analysis of how pollutive elements in steel scrap behave during processing and how they influence the materials final properties, with the aim of creating a scientific foundation for scrap sorting so that we do not degrade scrap quality during recycling.

Responsibilities and qualifications

In this PhD project, you will investigate how alloying and tramp elements influence the microstructure, defects, and properties of recycled cast irons and ferritic tool steels. You will cooperate with a postdoc that uses statistical methods to analyse production data from the partner industries. You will, based on this, design and conduct laboratory experiments to produce alloys with controlled compositions, and analyse the resulting materials using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, EBSD, X-ray imaging, and related characterization techniques.

You will work closely with researchers at DTU, TU Wien and the University of Leicester, combining experimental observations with thermodynamic modelling to understand phase formation, segregation, and defect development in recycled alloys. The project also involves collaboration with industrial partners, giving you access to unique production data and helping ensure that your research contributes directly to the development of intelligent scrap-sorting strategies and more sustainable metal recycling.

In addition to the direct project-related research, you will conduct some teaching-related activities, disseminate your research through publication of papers in high-ranking journals and attend conferences and internationalize through a research stay abroad.

We envision that:

• You have experience with design, conduction and analysis of laboratory experiments and can cooperate with colleagues that are experts in statistical analysis
• You have a sufficient background in metallurgical thermodynamics to use state-of-the-art modelling software and to cooperate with other scientists in that field
• You are familiar with some (but not all of them) fundamental materials characterisation methods such as SEM, XRD, laser diffraction and CT scanning
• You are familiar with production processes of metals and alloys.
• You are eager to elaborate on the newest research results, improve the ideas and test them by implementation
• You have an open mind, can think creatively and cooperate with researchers and laboratory staff.

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

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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date 1 January 2027 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Niels Skat Tiedje ( nsti@dtu.dk) +45 5141 8785 or Professor Dorte Juul Jensen ( doje@dtu.dk) +45 4525 4777.

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 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 1 October 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.

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 installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

The Section for Manufacturing Engineering does research into the physical phenomena taking place during the entire manufacturing chain. We span a wide range of manufacturing processes, such as additive and subtractive manufacturing, injection moulding, casting, welding, metal forming, micro and nanofabrication and manufacturing of composite parts. Our approach is based on a combination of high-level experimental activities in combination with advanced multiphysics, multi-scale modelling.

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.