PhD positions at the CoaST Research Centre

The CoaST Research Centre at DTU Chemical Engineering seeks qualified candidates for PhD positions.

The Research Centre, CoaST
CoaST is the abbreviation for The Hempel Foundation Coatings Science and Technology Centre. The activities in CoaST cover organic, polymer based coating technologies from raw materials, over formulation, test and characterization to production and application. In the broad perspective, the centre supports development, production and use of high performance coatings with improved sustainability profiles over the lifetime of the coating.

Areas of our present research are e.g. anticorrosive coatings for steel structures, blade coatings for wind turbines, intumescent coatings for passive fire protection, fouling control coatings for ships and other constructions, insulation coatings for heat loss reduction etc. The research is focused on improving the sustainability profile of heavy duty coatings, reducing the use of unwanted substances, facilitating the use of renewable raw materials, improving formulation and test methods through the use of mathematical modelling – and on the invention of totally new types of coatings technology with superior performance or functionality, including new binders and pigments.

PhD positions
A number of PhD positions will be available over the coming period for very ambitious persons within the following areas:

• Characterization and formulation of intumescent coatings
• Efficient production methods, in-line quality control
• Hindering of bio-contamination in water-base coatings production, or in-can preservation methods
• Increasing the use of mathematical modelling as a tool in practical coatings formulation
• New and improved technologies for pigment dispersion
• New and improved test and characterization of organic, polymer based coatings
• Sustainable raw materials for coatings, i.e. bio-based polymers or fillers, replacement of problematic raw materials
• The use of Artificial Intelligence in the formulation, testing and/or productions of coatings.
• Production and use of new functional pigments
• Your own exceptional idea within coatings science and technology evaluated based on a concrete proposal

Sustainable development will be in focus across the projects.

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.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates 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 Kim Dam-Johansen and Professor Søren Kiil.

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 three years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Head of Department, Professor Kim Dam-Johansen, tel.: +45 4525 2845, [email protected] .  

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk/english .

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 1February 2022 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. 

In the application, please indicate which position you would like to apply for. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum Vitale
• BSc/MSc and potential PhD diploma and grade transcripts including official description of grading scale
• A short statement to outline your research interests and indicate the rationale behind your choice of the project (area of research).

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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.

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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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.