PhD scholarship in Development of High Temperature Heat Pumps with Thermal Energy Storage - DTU Construct

Technical University Of Denmark; Denmark; On-site; DKK 307,000 - 368,000; Full time

Job summary

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 focuses on industrial high-temperature heat pumps and thermal energy storage, developing novel Carnot Battery concepts under the HeatMinds MSCA network. Supervision by Prof.

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

Qualifications

• Solid background in engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer and energy technologies.
• Familiarity with modelling and numerical simulations (MSc projects or theses).
• Programming skills in Python, Matlab, Modelica or similar.
• Excellent written and spoken English; motivated to work in an international environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design architectures for high-temperature heat pump and energy storage systems.
• Carry out multi-objective optimisation and dynamic system analyses.
• Validate results through experiments during industrial secondments and data comparison.
• Publish in international journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Engineering thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Energy technologies

Modelling and simulations

Programming (Python, Matlab, Modelica)

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Python

Matlab

Modelica

Job description

Organisation/Company Technical University Of Denmark Department DTU Construct Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 24 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Copenhagen) Country Denmark Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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.

You have:

• 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.

MSCA eligibility: at the time of recruitment, you must not already hold a doctoral degree. You must also not have resided or carried out your main activities (work, studies, etc) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date. 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 .

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 PhD salary will be based on the Marie S. Curie compensation scheme conditions and according to the grant agreement. Based on seniority the candidate will receive a minimum of DKK 30.264,08 (base salary) and DKK1580,90 (PhD supplement).In addition, DTU will also pay pension consisting of 18,07%. Finally, it is possible to apply for family allowance. The period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position. Starting date is anticipated as 1 April 2027, or according to mutual agreement.

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Adriano Sciacovelli, [e-mail] and Prof. Anders Christiansen Erlandsson, [e-mail] . You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.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 “ PhDrelocation 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 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. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Technical University of Denmark - DTU Construct Country Denmark Geofield