PhD Scholarships in Sustainable Organic Industrial Coatings - DTU Chemical Engineering

Would you like to contribute to solving some of the most critical challenges industrial coatings are facing today and are you looking for a carrier in R&D or academia?

At CoaST - Coatings Science and Technology Centre you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible with the aim of improving the sustainability profile of organic heavy-duty coatings. Our research approach is based on classical chemical engineering tools combined with formulation expertise and projects are often carried out, inspired by or in close co-operation with industrial partners.

We offer you an opportunity to join DTU’s Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering as a PhD scholar starting in 2026 or early 2027. The available PhD positions will be within the areas listed below, but we also welcome you to propose your own research idea within the value chain of functional coatings from raw materials to end-product.

Coating formulation and production principles
Optimising the production line by i.e. turning towards in-line production and quality control will help save natural resources as well as reduce waste material and energy consumption. Formulation and test methods using mathematical modelling, and prediction tools.

Fouling Control Coatings
Fouling Control is performed by specifically designed materials to remove or prevent biofouling from i.e. ship hulls, as bio fouling leads to operational downtime and increases energy use and damage on the hull structure. Traditionally, these coatings have been designed with toxic biocides and/or contribute to the waste of micro-plastic in our oceans; to stop this, alternative ideas are required for the new generation of anti-fouling coatings.

Anti-corrosive coatings
Corrosion can lead to structure failures that have dramatic consequences for humans and surrounding environments. The use of anti-corrosive coatings is crucial when it comes to protecting metal constructions against corrosion, such as pipelines, tunnels, ship ballast tanks, containers, off-shore wind turbines, etc.. Our research on anti-corrosive coating mainly covers development of novel and advanced anti-corrosive coatings, non-destructive coating performance evaluation, coating integrity management, and first and foremost understand the fundamental mechanisms leading to coating failure.

Intumescent coatings
Intumescent coatings on steel structures swell during a fire to form an insulating layer, which protects the substrate from high temperature. CoaST Research in this field, cover both organic and inorganic intumescent coatings and concerns replacement of problematic compounds, mapping of the underlying intumescence mechanisms, and the design and formulation of entirely new technologies and development of faster and more reliable test methods.

Functional coatings
Functional coatings, in addition to protective and decorative properties, have special functions. Examples are catalytic coatings for air pollution control and insulation coatings for energy savings. Our research in this field is special for each type of coating and requires dedicated testing devices and formulation techniques.

New raw materials for coatings
Working along the entire value chain, we aim to replace fossil-based materials with sustainable raw materials to minimize the carbon footprint and improve the sustainability profile throughout the coating lifetime.

Waste recycling
We also do projects investigating how better to reuse the waste material from coating production and coating use.

Test methods
Reliable and fast test methods to optimize coating performance is of utmost importance in coatings development. We work on new test methods and optimization of coatings formulation both through deterministic mathematical models and through use of AI.

Responsibilities and qualifications
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. (e.g.: a MSc degree equivalent to at least 5 years of studies including a BSc degree).

You are newly graduated, or you might have experience from industry and a strong desire to turn towards research. We expect you to be able to handle and have an interest in experimental laboratory and formulation work. Experience with coatings may be an advantage.

You are high performing, visionary and thrive on turning exiting challenges into solutions based on curiosity and an open mind for entering new paths when necessary. You have a natural flair for driving things forward on you own, and you like to create results based on knowledge sharing and positive teamwork.

Applicable for all scholarships

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates 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.

By joining CoaST you will become part of a highly ambitious young research team under continuous development and establishment. Presently, our group consists of approximately 25 PhD students, but, all included, we count around 55 people. CoaST is a very international and intercultural research environment with more than 12 nationalities represented. Our working language is English.

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. Please see DTU's salary structure for scientific staff .

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 Centre Leader Professor Kim Dam-Johansen, tel.: Se telefonnummer på studerendeonline.dk, Se e-mailadresse på studerendeonline.dk .

You can read more about DTU’s Department of Chemical and Bio-chemical Engineering at DTU Chemical 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.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", 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
• A short statement (up to 400 words) to outline your research interests and indicate the rationale behind your choice of the project (area of research).

In the field “Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for”, please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projectsor individual research projects).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 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.

The Hempel Foundation Coatings Science and Technology Centre (CoaST) was established at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, as per 1 January 2017, based on a generous donation by the Hempel Foundation. CoaST Research Centre supports development, production and use of high performance organic coatings. Working along the whole value chain, CoaST research activities cover organic, polymer based coating technologies from raw materials over formulation, test and characterization to production and application.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research covers separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies.

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

Apply Before
2026-09-30T21:59:00+00:00