PhD scholarship in Digitalization of R&D and Manufacturing Engineering for Customized Products by using CAD/PLM/ERP/Configurators and Design Automation

The section of Engineering Design and Product Development, DTU Construct is searching for a strong PhD candidate within the area of digital modelling of product and production architectures into IT systems such as configurators, CAD, PLM, ERP. Furthermore, the objective is to automate the generation of specifications such as e.g. BOM’s, drawings and lists of operation for customized products. You will have a unique opportunity to work and do research in a strong collaboration between NKT Photonics and the Technical University of Denmark. The Ph.D. scholarship is one of two Ph.D. scholar ships at DTU Construct funded by NKT Photonics and DTU. The two Ph.D. projects will work closely together.

The objectives of the Ph.D. project is to model IT systems for generating specifications for products based on advanced and rapidly developing new technologies and a production system for producing customized products in small batches. Furthermore the Ph.D. project will focus on how to model configurators and integrate configurators with parametric CAD models in order to automatize the detailed design of product variants and preparation of manufacturing specifications for customized products. The project will also investigate how to implement the product and production architectures in PLM and ERP-systems, including how to structure BOM’s and other specifications in these IT systems. The project will also include selection of tools for configuration and integration to existing IT systems, mapping and improvement of existing processes in R&D, sales and engineering incl. knowledge sharing between sales, R&D and manufacturing engineering.

The position will give you an exceptional opportunity to work both with the managers at NKT Photonics and theoretically at the university in such a way that you will be able to both make an academic contribution and see concrete solutions being implemented in NKT Photonics.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• You will become part of a research team working intensively with digitalization of product and manufacturing architectures
• You will contribute to the advanced research conducted in our department on digitalization of engineering and on configurators.
• Modeling production capabilities for producing variance
• Linking product architectures to production capabilities
• Modeling a configuration system integrated with CAD for generating drawings and production BOMs
• Implementing product and production architectures and structuring of BOMs in the ERP and PLM systems
• Develop a model of the production capabilities for R&D to develop products that makes it possible to reduce time and costs in production
• Map and develop the existing processes in sales, R&D and manufacturing engineering for customized products
• Requirements and selection of configuration system and other needed IT systems

Qualifications

• An engineering educational background within Product Development, Manufacturing engineering, industrial Engineering, and Digital Manufacturing and Engineering with top results
• Deep understanding of the interplay between design and manufacturing in relation to cost, lead time, manufacturing efficiency and quality
• Ability to work very systematically and visually
• Knowledge of modular product and production architectures
• Knowledge of commercially available IT systems such as CAD, PDM, and ERP and basic programming skills
• Ability to work cross disciplinary across e.g., manufacturing engineering, design, finance and operations

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 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 Niels Henrik Mortensen and Professor Lars Hvam.

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 Professor Niels Henrik Mortensen, nhmo@mek.dtu.dk , Professor Lars Hvam, lahv@dtu.dk , Sara Johnsen Sara.Helene.Markworth.Johnsen@nktphotonics.com , and Christian Bürger,  Christian.Burger@nktphotonics.com . 

You can read more about DTU Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.dtu.dk and NKT Photonics at www.nktphotonics.com . 

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 28 November 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 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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

NKT Photonics develops state of the art fiber lasers and photonic crystal fibers – solutions used in Medical & Life Science, Industry, Aerospace & Defense, and Quantum & Nano Technology application areas. NKT Photonics provides cutting-edge solutions to its highly innovative customers, why customer collaboration and customized solutions are a core part of the product development. With an ambitious growth strategy, NKT Photonics continuously seeks to optimize processes and tools to ensure a short time to market in an industry where technology is under rapid development.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and the 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 installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

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 13,400 students and 5,800 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.