PhD scholarship in multi-physics modelling of bearingless pumps - DTU Construct

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 330,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a PhD candidate in bearingless pump modelling at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The project combines thermofluid, electromagnetic, and rotordynamic analyses in a joint DTU-UQ collaboration with industrial partner Danfoss.

The successful candidate will develop physics-based modelling tools, validate them against literature and experiments, and may contribute to teaching within the department.

Qualifications

• Strong background in mechanical/energy engineering, engineering physics, or related discipline.
• Interest in computational modelling and multiphysics analysis.
• Ability to collaborate with academic and industrial partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop coupled thermofluid–electromagnetic–rotordynamic models for bearingless pumps.
• Quantify flow-induced forces under various operating conditions.
• Identify and model dominant loss mechanisms and their thermal/mechanical interactions.
• Assess thermal effects on force generation, materials, and clearances.
• Validate numerical models against literature and experiments; disseminate findings.

Skills

Computational modelling

Multiphysics analysis

Thermofluid modelling

Research collaboration

Education

Master's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your ambitions, this is your opportunity. At the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), you will help advance the state of the art in multiphysics modelling through a unique international research collaboration involving DTU, The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, and Danfoss. You will join a highly interdisciplinary research environment and work closely with leading academic and industrial partners to develop next-generation pumping technologies for future electrified energy systems. We are currently recruiting a PhD candidate at DTU for a project on the multi-physics modelling of bearingless pumps. A parallel PhD position is being advertised at UQ (link), and the two PhD candidates will collaborate closely under a joint DTU-UQ supervision framework, with opportunities for research exchange and interaction between the two universities.

The transition towards electrified and energy-efficient energy systems poses significant challenges in predicting the coupled behaviour of thermofluid, electromagnetic, and rotordynamic processes. Bearingless pumps are a promising solution because they eliminate mechanical bearings and shaft seals, thereby reducing frictional losses, wear, and maintenance requirements while enabling fully electrified actuation and control. Although research has demonstrated stable levitation and contact-free pumping in laboratory-scale systems, reliable design methods for realistic industrial operating conditions remain largely undeveloped. Addressing this challenge will be the central objective of your PhD research.

Responsibilities and qualifications

You will develop a physics-based modelling framework for bearingless pumps, focusing on the coupled thermofluid, electromagnetic, and rotordynamic phenomena that arise in the absence of mechanical bearings and seals. Working together with researchers at DTU, UQ, and Danfoss, you will combine thermofluid modelling, reduced-order multiphysics methods, and nonlinear rotor dynamics analysis to develop predictive modelling tools that support the industrial design of bearingless pumps. Depending on the outcomes of the modelling work, a prototype may be built and tested at Danfoss under realistic operating conditions.

You must have a strong background in mechanical engineering, energy engineering, engineering physics, or related discipline, as well as a keen interest in computational modelling and multiphysics analysis. You should be motivated to pursue fundamental and applied research in close collaboration with both academic and industrial partners.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Develop coupled thermofluid-electromagnetic-rotordynamic models of bearingless pumps.
• Quantify flow-induced radial and axial forces under design and off-design operating conditions.
• Identify and model dominant loss mechanisms and their thermal and mechanical interactions.
• Assess the influence of thermal effects on force generation, material properties, and geometric clearances.
• Validate numerical models against experimental results and data available in the scientific literature.
• Disseminate research findings through scientific publications and conference presentations.
• Contribute to teaching and supervision activities within the department, including supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.

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 period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position. Starting date is 1 January 2027 (or by mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Fredrik Haglind, tel. [phone].

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://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 “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 (DTU Construct) 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.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark