Postdoc in Advanced Catalysis for Plastic Waste Upcycling and Micropollutants Degradation - DTU Sustain

Are you an ambitious Material researcher wanting to make an impactful change to the way we treat our water and plastic waste? Then please apply, as we are looking for a new team member to join our exciting projects!

The global crisis of plastic pollution and emerging micropollutants in water demands transformative solutions. While plastic waste accumulates across ecosystems, it also represents an underutilised carbon feedstock. Simultaneously, microplastics and persistent organic micropollutants (e.g., PFAS, pharmaceuticals) are increasingly detected in water bodies, posing threats to human and environmental health.

This position aims to develop advanced catalytic technologies, including thermal, microwave, and photocatalysis, to convert plastic waste into high-value chemicals and fuels, and also to degrade micropollutants from water environments.

To drive this vision forward, we are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Researcher to lead the development of advanced catalytic reactors and processes for sustainable waste-to-resource conversion and water purification.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for an ambitious researcher with experience in materials science, catalysis, membrane technologies and novel catalysts. The postdoc will systematically evaluate reaction mechanisms, product selectivity, and degradation efficiency of various plastic waste types, including PET, PLA, PE, PP, PVC plastic waste, and micropollutants in aqueous media.

The research will contribute to both fundamental understanding and scalable solutions for plastic valorization, with strong emphasis on material design, reactor integration, and mechanisms investigation.

Responsibilities:

• Design, synthesize, and immobilize advanced catalytic materials for plastic depolymerization and micropollutant degradation.
• Developing thermal, microwave, or visible light-driven processes for selective plastic depolymerization and pollutant degradation.
• Investigate reaction mechanisms of plastic degradation and pollutant removal, focusing on active site identification, electron–hole behavior, radical pathways, and intermediate product evolution.
• Conduct in-situ/operando spectroscopic studies (e.g., in-situ FTIR, EPR, XPS, Raman) and DFT-based electronic structure analysis (in collaboration) to elucidate structure–activity relationships.
• Analyze reaction products, selectivity, and mass balance for both plastic conversion and micropollutant degradation.
• Assess catalyst durability and recyclability under realistic conditions, including continuous-flow or membrane-integrated systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners (e.g., in catalysis, materials science, and environmental engineering) to guide the development toward scalable deployment.
• Perform techno-economic and life cycle assessments to guide system-level sustainability and industrial translation.
• Disseminate research findings through high-impact publications and presentations at international conferences.

Qualifications:

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Specifically in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

The ideal candidate will have one or more of the following qualifications:

• Proven expertise in photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, microwave catalysis, plastic upcycling/degradation, pollutant degradation, or advanced oxidation processes.
• Strong capability in reaction mechanism investigation, including radical species identification, intermediate qualification and quantification, elucidation of organic transformation pathways, and analysis of structure–reactivity relationships at catalytic sites.
• Familiarity with advanced characterisation and modelling tools, such as in-situ/operando spectroscopy (e.g., DRIFTS, EPR, XPS, Raman), theoretical calculations (e.g., DFT), and multiphysics simulations (e.g., COMSOL) to investigate charge transport, organic transformation pathways, heat flow, and field-induced effects.
• A strong publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, reflecting independent and innovative research capability.
• Strong interdisciplinary communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.
• Passion for advancing sustainable technologies and solving complex environmental problems.

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 terms of employment 
• 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 2 year. Starting date as soon as possible in the new year.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

• Further information 
• Further information may be obtained from Professor and Head of Section Wenjing (Angela) Zhang (wenz@dtu.dk), tel.: +45 2035 2356.

You can read more about DTU Sustain at https://sustain.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.

• Application procedure 
• Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 11 November 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• Research experience and proposal (Please describe your previous research projects and propose research activities in the field of advanced catalytic technologies)
• List of 2-3 references (optional)

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 Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

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.