PhD Student to work on Pilot-Scale CO2 Capture, CO2 Quality Assessment, and Development of Innovative Solvent Systems - DTU Chemical Engineering

DTU Chemical Engineering is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on pilot-scale CO2 capture, CO2 quality assessment, and development of innovative solvent systems.

The position is part of a large-scale CCS project (CASPER) capturing CO2 from Aalborg Portland’s cement plant, with testing in a dedicated CO2 transport facility.

You will also contribute to the CO2MAN project, which aims to revolutionize solvent-based capture by developing an AI tool to screen over 1 billion solvent formulations. Top candidates will be selected based on performance criteria such as absorption capacity, regeneration energy, degradation resistance, and environmental profile. These will be validated in the lab and demonstrated at pilot scale at Ørsted’s facility, Skærbækværket.

We seek a highly motivated candidate with a background in chemical or process engineering and strong experimental and analytical skills.

Join us to drive innovation in carbon capture and contribute to shaping Europe’s low-carbon energy future.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to contribute to strengthen the department’s competences within chemical CO2 capture technology. You will work with in a team of 25 colleagues dealing with CCUS, and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad. Your primary tasks will be to:

• Apply AI in context of capture solvent modelling
• Understand and analyse data from large scale DTU pilots 
• Conduct pilot-scale CO2 capture experiments up to TRL7
• Perform physical-chemical analysis of innovative solvents and gases 

The preferred candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Programming skills and AI interest
• Data analytical skills and computer science focus
• Experiences with chemical analysis and pilot experiments is an advantage.
• Knowledge of thermodynamic modelling, process simulation is an advantage.

For applicants to the PhD position, 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 in disciplines like chemical engineering, applied chemistry, petroleum engineering, or related disciplines. 

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 Professor Philip Loldrup Fosbøl.

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. The starting date is 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 Professor Philip Loldrup Fosbøl, email: plfo@kt.dtu.dk. 

You can read more about the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at www.kt.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 15 September 2025 (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.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research cover separation processes, bioprocesses, bioengineering, bioconversions, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, a.o. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.