PhD scholarship in Experimental Clearance Flow Research - DTU Construct

The PhD candidate will, as part of a collaboration project between a private enterprise and DTU Construct, carry out experimental clearance flow research with ammonia and other sustainable marine fuels. 

Pressure and temperature conditions, resembling those in a marine engine booster pump, are created in an in-house designed clearance flow test rig. Measured clearance flow data will be used to develop and validate accurate flow models. The test rig will be further modified to enable testing and evaluation of different sealing solutions.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD candidate will be responsible for continuing our development of a high-pressure ammonia flow rig, conduct test campaigns with different ammonia pump components and develop both theoretical and experimental foundation for developing ammonia compatible sealing techniques.

The candidate should have significant experience with:

• Safe handling of ammonia and other liquified gases in test setups.
• Design and wiring electronic data acquisition and control systems using PC Schematics.
• LabView programming.
• Mechanical design and FEM analysis using Solid Works.
• Data processing of large experimental sets of dynamic flow and pressure data using statistical methods in Matlab.
• CMM (Coordinate Measurement Machine) measurement and preferably have experience with Calypso Software.
• Data processing large complex geometric data sets from CMM measurements for 3-dimensional analysis of tested pump components.

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. 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 January 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 Anders Ivarsson, aniv@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. 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 Civil and Mechanical Engineering 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 technical services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, coastal and maritime engineering, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering systems design, design for sustainability, and thermal energy.

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.