PhD scholarship in Data Driven Modelling, Characterization and Optimization of Dry Forming of Natural Fiber Materials - DTU Construct

The Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has an open PhD position on the topic of “Data driven modelling, characterization and optimization of dry forming of natural fiber materials”.

The position is in the context of the project ENDURE, a new Marie Skłodowska Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network Programme funded by the European Commission, that brings together 5 universities, 2 RTOs and 8 industry partners from four countries. Find more information at https://endure.dtu.dk/  and https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101227649.

ENDURE trains a new generation of creative and innovative manufacturing and materials researchers, with strong analytical, computational, and experimental skills and a deep understanding of all aspects of producing moulded fibre products with sustainable natural fibre materials. In the framework of the doctoral network. You will work closely with a cohort of 15 PhD students working on different but related topics within the domain of natural fiber materials.

General and project specific eligibility requirements
All applicants must fulfil the following general eligibility criteria, or otherwise will be rejected:

• must have completed a Master's degree or equivalent at the time of start (after January 2026).
• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment;
• must comply with the mobility rules, where they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months, at any point during the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date (short stays such as holidays or compulsory military service are not taken into account);

Essential language requirements
The working language of ENDURE is English.

It is expected that the selected candidate will start in the position in August 2026 or according to mutual agreement.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD position is focused on the development and experimental validation of data driven models for high-speed dry thermoforming processes for natural fiber materials. The project aims to enable efficient and sustainable production of packaging components suitable for food and beverage applications.

Key research activities include:

• Characterization of airlaid and fluff pulp forming process using, among others, X-ray Tomography.
• Development of physics supported data driven modelling tool for dry forming of natural fiber materials taking into account fiber network characteristics and fibers distribution.
• Thermoforming process optimization

The project will utilize a combination of existing and newly developed equipment to generate data, produce test parts and implement closed loop control. Industrial validation will be conducted in collaboration with partner companies.

The position involves both theoretical and experimental work, with responsibilities spanning project execution and academic dissemination. You are expected to:

• Position the scientific work within the context of current literature
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences

We are looking for candidates with:

• An excellent academic background in production engineering or related fields
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, natural fiber materials, paper production 
• Experience with manufacturing metrology and programming tools such as MATLAB
• Familiarity with Machine Learning techniques is a strong asset
• Good analytical skills and communication abilities in English

You should have completed a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in Mechanical, Production, Materials, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level. 

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 the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Giuliano Bissacco according to the qualification requirements stated above.

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Giuliano Bissacco (gibi@dtu.dk +45 4525 4895), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

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 31 May 2026, at 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
• An outline of relevant projects carried out with relevance to the contents of this project, with explanation of your contributions.

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 services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, 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.