PhD scholarship in Development and Modelling of Natural Fibre Over-Moulding Process - DTU Construct

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 357,000 - 446,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU, located in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, invites applications for a PhD position focusing on a novel natural fibre injection moulding (NFIM) process.

The project spans polymer processing, materials engineering, digital manufacturing, and simulation, with collaboration across industrial and academic partners. You will implement hygro-thermal simulations, connect sensor data with on-the-fly modelling, and contribute to industrially relevant, sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions while

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in natural fibre materials processing, polymer/composite materials, or manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with experimental laboratory work or advanced data analysis and AI/ML techniques.
• Interest in numerical simulations, AI-driven process modelling, and cyber-physical systems including digital twins.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run laboratory-scale NFIM experiments with natural fibre materials.
• Develop hygro-thermal simulation models and integrate them with injection moulding models.
• Set up a digital twin environment using open-source tools and monitor in-line sensor data.

Skills

Natural fibre materials processing

Polymer/composite materials

AI/ML techniques

Numerical simulations

Digital twins

English communication

Education

Master's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field

Tools

Eclipse Ditto

Job description

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your overall purpose will be to develop, model, and validate a novel natural fibre injection moulding (NFIM) process for natural fibre materials that meets strict industrial requirements for adhesion, mechanical performance, and barrier properties. You will work at the intersection of polymer processing, natural fibre composite engineering, digital manufacturing and simulation technologies. You will learn how to implement advanced hygrothermal simulations, perform X-ray CT characterization of the fibrous 3D structures and subsequently connect the two techniques in robust workflows. You will identify, select and deploy sensors within industrial equipment that can provide the needed data for on-the-fly reduced order model-based simulations within the process digital twin. Further you will learn to develop a digital twin environment, based on open-source tools such as Eclipse Ditto, that will allow you to combine the in-line sensor data with the on-the-fly simulation and ex-situ characterization data. Through close collaboration with dedicated industrial and academic partners, you will generate new scientific insights and deliver actionable results that enable industrial implementation of sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions.

Primary tasks and responsibilities

Your primary tasks will be to develop and run laboratory-scale NFIM experiments with natural fibre materials. The position involves developing and integrating hygro-thermal simulation models that capture the filling and dewatering of moulds during NFIM and combining these with existing advanced injection moulding models at DTU. You will also implement in situ process monitoring and analyze real-time sensor data, while setting up a digital twin environment based on open-source tools such as Eclipse Ditto or similar platforms.

Optimization and Demonstration

Furthermore, you will optimize processing parameters using modelling and data-driven approaches and develop and validate AI-driven reduced-order models through iterative comparison with experiments and uncertainty quantification. Finally, you will contribute to the integration and demonstration of the developed process at industrial partners.

International Training Program

You will also participate in a cutting-edge International Training program, where you will spend a full week each at multiples universities and research institutions that are part of the ENDURE Doctoral Network, working and collaborating with 11 other PhDs associated with the project (focusing on diverse aspects). You will also have an opportunity to spend extended periods of approx. 3 months each at KTH in Sweden and IPC in France for collaborating and experiencing external research environments and will collaborate actively with the industrial partners in Denmark and within EU.

Requirements and Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you must have a strong foundation in natural fibre materials processing, polymer/composite materials, or manufacturing technologies. You should also have experience with experimental laboratory work or advanced data analysis and AI/ML techniques. An interest in numerical simulations, AI-driven process modelling, and cyber-physical systems, including digital twins, is required. Furthermore, you should be able to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary and international environment. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are essential.

Eligibility - Mobility Rule

Please note that this PhD position is funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Therefore, applicants must not have resided in Denmark or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date (i.e. between Oct 2023 - Oct 2026).

Short stays such as holidays, compulsory national service, or time spent as part of a refugee procedure are not taken into account.

Academic Qualifications

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in mechanical engineering, materials engineering (with composites, polymer or natural fibre materials background), manufacturing engineering, mechatronics, cyber-physical systems engineering, 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 Associate Professor Sankhya Mohanty and Associate Professor Guido Tosello.

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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 15 October 2026 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Sankhya Mohanty (https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/sankhya-mohanty/ ), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Section of Manufacturing Engineering

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://construct.dtu.dk/ and Section of Manufacturing Engineering at https://construct.dtu.dk/sections/manufacturing-engineering

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.

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 utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and 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.

The Section for Manufacturing Engineering at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering performs theoretical, numerical, and experimental research in the field of manufacturing engineering. The Section covers a wide range of manufacturing processes and modelling approaches, metrology at all scales, micro/nano manufacturing, and additive manufacturing.

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.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark