SDU Civil and Architectural Engineering (CAE) invites applications for two PhD positions in Structural Engineering, with a focus on experimental and analytical modelling for assessing the capacity of existing concrete structures. The positions are to be filled by 1 September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job Description

The successful candidates will be part of the SDU Structures research group. The PhD projects will focus on modelling of existing concrete structures. The PhD projects build on the research already carried out in the group. The PhD candidates will carry out research related to the new research programme called Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE). SDU Structures is co-leading the programme’s research on existing structures in collaboration with Aarhus University and Technical University of Denmark. As a part of the CEBE research programme the successful candidate will join a highly ambitious initiative involving extensive national and international collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners. 

The successful candidates will be part of a vibrant and growing research environment with strong ties to industry, offering opportunities for applied research and innovation.

PhD Position 1: Structural Capacity of Non-Code-Compliant Concrete Slabs

In this project, the PhD candidate will develop new experimental evidence and analytical modelling for the shear and punching shear capacity of reinforced concrete slabs that are not compliant with current design codes – for example, bridge slabs that lack code-compliant shear reinforcement detailing. The research will be based on plasticity theory and mechanism analysis, supported by the experimental data generated throughout the project. 

For existing concrete bridges that are non-code-compliant, the calculated shear capacity of the bridge deck is often a governing factor for expanding the service lifetime of the bridge. Here, the bridge deck is subjected to concentrated loads from the wheels of the traffic loads. The failure mechanism and the response of concrete slabs (bridge decks) subjected to concentrated loads differs from that of beams and slabs subjected to strip loads. When subjected to concentrated loads, complex curved-shaped failure mechanisms can be observed leading to intermediate failure modes between shear and punching, depending on the distance from the concentrated load to the supports.

The project addresses a major challenge in extending the service life of existing bridges where shear capacity often becomes the limiting factor.

PhD Position 2: Structural Capacity of ASR‑Deteriorated Concrete Structures

In this project, the PhD candidate will develop new experimental evidence and analytical models to evaluate the capacity of reinforced concrete structures that are deteriorated by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), a harmful deterioration mechanism that can cause significant cracking of the concrete. In Denmark, more than 600 bridges have the potential to develop ASR and internationally the problem is similarly widespread. Many of the bridges are slab bridges without transverse (shear) reinforcement, a construction type which is of particular concern when considering the reinforcement bond, anchorage, and lap-splice performance.

Thereby, ASR may lead to reduced reinforcement activation and substantial decreases in concrete strength, including pronounced anisotropy in material properties. In this PhD project, the effect of ASR on structural capacity will be investigated through targeted experimental studies, where concrete elements are placed in a state‑of‑the‑art climate chamber, and through analytical modelling of the resulting capacity degradation.

This project supports the safe, reliable, and sustainable management of ageing concrete infrastructure.

Research focus areas of the research group

SDU Structures focuses on experimental and analytical research of concrete and timber structures. The experimental research is predominantly carried out in the SDU Structures laboratory which is equipped with state-of-the-art testing and data acquisition equipment for structural testing. Within the CEBE research programme, the group will be active within the following areas:

• Concrete plasticity and limit analysis for structural assessment and safety evaluation.

• Capacity and strengthening of existing structures.

• Residual load-bearing capacity of damaged existing structures.

• Behaviour and development of design methods for structural concrete.

• Design, optimization, and calculation of robotically printed concrete structures.

• Development of sustainable concrete solutions with emphasis on structural performance. 

• Circular design and reuse of structural concrete elements.

• Design and strength of connections for concrete and timber structures.

• Aerodynamic stability and wind-induced response of long-span bridges.

• Probabilistic assessment of structures and structural elements. Including focus on uncertainty modelling of structural models and load models.

• Derivation of optimal target reliability, incorporating environmental and sustainability considerations.

Qualifications

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• Knowledge and experience in concrete plasticity and limit analysis

• Master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) in Structural Engineering

• A strong educational background in structural engineering

• Strong communication skills in English (written and spoken)

Preferably, the candidate has experience with conducting experiments and establishing experimental evidence for structural concrete.

Contact information

Further information about the position is available from Head of Section, Associate Professor Henrik Brøner Jørgensen, tel. +45 65507520, email: hebj@iti.sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include: 

• Motivated application, incl. statement of whether one of the PhD projects are preferred. 

• Curriculum Vitae.

• Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (original and an official English translation). 

• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.

• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 

• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 

• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).

• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.

All non-Danish documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

The positions are open, and the start date is negotiable, with a preference for September 1, 2026. Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.