PhD in Development of High Temperature Heat Pumps with Thermal Energy Storage

Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; Presencial; DKK 320.000 - 420.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the Thermal Energy Section of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The project develops Carnot Battery technologies combining high-temperature heat pumps with thermal energy storage to deliver clean process heat and grid flexibility. Supervision by Prof.

Adriano Sciacovelli and Prof. Anders Christiansen Erlandsson, with industrial secondments across Europe within the HeatMinds MSCA

Formación

• Solid background in engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer and energy technologies.
• Familiarity with modelling and numerical simulations, for MSc thesis or student projects.
• Programming skills, preferably in Python, Matlab, Modelica or similar.
• Excellent written and spoken English in an international environment.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and Design new architectures comprising cycles using natural working fluids and thermal energy storage, optimised for efficiency, cost, and fast response to electricity price signals.
• Carry out multi-objective optimisation and dynamic system analysis of alternative layouts.
• Validate results by experiments and data comparison during industrial secondments, turning results into innovations.
• Publish in international journals, present at conferences and participate in HeatMinds training and outreach.

Conocimientos

Engineering thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Energy technologies

Modelling & simulations

Python

MATLAB

Modelica

English proficiency

Educación

Master's degree in engineering

Herramientas

Python

MATLAB

Modelica

Descripción del empleo

Do you want to start your research career by making industrial heat clean, flexible and affordable? At DTU Construct you will work at the forefront of technologies key to decarbonizing industries: high-temperature heat pumps and high-temperature thermal energy storage.

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position in the Thermal Energy Section of the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark. The position is part of HeatMinds, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network funded by Horizon Europe. HeatMinds brings together 6 universities and research institutes and 12 industrial and research partners across Europe to develop industrial high-temperature heat pumps and thermal energy storage.

Your project will develop new Carnot Battery technologies: systems that combine heat pumps based on high temperature thermodynamic cycles together with high-temperature thermal energy storage, such as molten salts and dual-media packed beds. These systems will deliver clean process heat while also giving industry flexibility on the electricity market.

Supervision: Prof. Adriano Sciacovelli and Prof. Anders Christiansen Erlandsson with industrial secondments.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Your overall goal will be to find out how industrial high temperature heat pumps can benefit from integrated thermal energy storage by developing new cost-effective, high-performance hybrid configurations.
• You will work with fellow doctoral candidates across the network and with industrial partners in Denmark and abroad.
• Your main tasks will be: Develop and Design new architectures comprising cycles using natural working fluids and thermal energy storage, optimised for efficiency, cost, and fast response to electricity price signals. Carry out multi-objective optimisation and dynamic system analysis of alternative layouts. Validate results by carrying out experiments and data comparison during industrial secondments, turning the results into innovations with real-world impact (e.g. patents, future commercial solutions). Publish in international journals, present at conferences and take part in HeatMinds network training, summer schools and outreach.

Qualifications and skills

• A solid background in engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer and energy technologies, e.g. conversion or storage systems
• Familiarity with modelling and numerical simulations, for example for MSc thesis or student projects
• Programming skills, preferably in Python, Matlab, Modelica or similar
• Excellent written and spoken English, and the motivation to work in an international, goal-oriented environment

Application materials

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A copy of thesis (if available) or other publications (if available)
• A short critical literature review (max. 3 pages) on high-temperature heat pumps combined with thermal energy storage (e.g. Carnot Batteries): select up to 5 relevant publications and explain your choice, compare their methods & findings, identify possible open research questions, explaining how your background would help you address them. Include at least one figure or table of your own making.

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.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilises 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 technical services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, coastal and maritime engineering, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering systems design, design for sustainability, and thermal energy.

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.

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