PhD Scholarship in Modelling and Optimization of Highly Viscous Bioprocesses

Are you eager to turn recent discoveries of the life sciences into processes and products? By giving you the best possible scientific foundation and a vivid research environment, DTU Chemical Engineering is probably one of the best places where this can happen.

Background & Purpose
Through reactor engineering and biotechnological research mass transfer and mixing in modern production plants is optimized which today makes it possible to growth cells to high cell densities and thereby achieving high titers. This concentrated broth is often characterized by high viscosities making downstream operations such as filtration more challenging.

In this present PhD project the aim is to understand and model the influence of process parameters on the viscosity. The examined process will be an industrial high cell density & titer, enzyme production process provided by the industrial partner which will be transferred to DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Pilot Plant.

Project Team
Main supervisor will be by Associate Prof. Julian Kager from DTU Department Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Pilot Plant where the main research will take place. Technical University Munich (TUM) is alliance partner in this project where an external research stay will take place.

Qualifications
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 (bio)chemical engineering, process engineering, bioengineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular Biology or similar. We expect you to have both an interest in experimental laboratory work and conceptual/ theoretical work. Experience with microbial cultivations and analytics as well as numerical programming are an advantage.

You are ambitious, take responsibility and you are driven by curiosity and open minded also for entering new paths and accepting challenges when necessary. You have a natural flair to share knowledge and create results as a team but also take the ownership of your own project.

You are a team player and open to exchange with the project team and able to process different inputs into something novel and valuable. You are strong in verbal communication and scientific writing.

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. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position with start 1 January 2027 or after mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Prof, Julian Kager, phone: +45 9351 1553, jukager@kt.dtu.dk.

You can read more about the DTU Chemical Engineeringat 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 than24 September 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.

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 covers separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies. The Departments Pilot Plant is one of the best equipped facilities in chemical and biochemical engineering around the world and used for practical teaching, research and close cooperation with industry and start-ups.

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.