PhD scholarship in Catalytic CO₂ Conversion to Carbon Nanotubes - DTU Physics

Can we transform greenhouse gases into some of the world's most valuable advanced materials? 

At DTU Physics, we are looking for a talented and ambitious PhD candidate to help pioneer a completely new route for carbon utilization. The project aims to discover catalytic materials capable of converting CO₂ directly into carbon nanotubes (CNTs), combining climate-change mitigation with the sustainable production of next-generation functional materials. 

Carbon nanotubes are among the most sought-after nanomaterials due to their exceptional strength, low weight, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability. They are key components in future energy technologies, electronics, and lightweight structural materials. Yet, conventional CNT production relies on fossil-derived feedstocks and carries a substantial carbon footprint. This PhD project seeks to establish an entirely new catalytic paradigm in which captured CO₂ becomes the raw material for producing high-value carbon nanomaterials. 

You will join the Catalysis and Operando Characterization (CATOC) group at DTU, an international research environment at the forefront of catalyst development and operando characterization. Working in close collaboration with Leipzig University, you will combine catalyst synthesis, catalytic testing, advanced electron microscopy, and operando X-ray characterization to reveal how catalysts form, evolve, and produce CNTs under realistic reaction conditions.

As a PhD student, you will have access to world-leading infrastructure, including advanced electron microscopy, in situ and operando characterization tools, and state-of-the-art facilities for catalyst development and testing.

If you are excited by tackling fundamental scientific questions while contributing to sustainable technologies, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall goal will be to discover and develop novel catalytic materials that enable the conversion of CO₂ into carbon nanotubes.

The project will include:

• Development of mono- and multimetallic catalyst materials based on metal silicates.
• Catalytic testing and performance evaluation under realistic reaction conditions.
• Investigation of CNT growth, harvesting, and catalyst regeneration strategies.
• Advanced in situ and operando characterization using electron microscopy and X-ray based methods.
• Establishing structure-activity relationships that guide the design of next-generation catalysts.

You have a strong background in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, nanotechnology, or a related field. Experience with catalysis, materials synthesis, electron microscopy, or characterization techniques is an advantage.

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 will be made Professor Christian Damsgaard from DTU and group leader Dr. Esteban Gaston Gioria from Leipzig University.

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. Please see 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 is 1 March 2027 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. Christian Danvad Damsgaard, cdda@dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Department of Physics at https://physics.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 19 November 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 – 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.