Are you interested in advancing approaches for quantifying the environmental impacts of waste management systems? At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), we are offering a fully funded PhD position focused on research and development towards flexible and more dynamic waste management models, especially for expanding EASETECH models to account for prospective life cycle analyses, regional considerations and waste prevention modeling. This research will be the groundwork for more granular waste models and will specifically aid in developing and expanding the current EASETECH framework.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a PhD Candidate you will dive into the newest state-of-the-art methods of waste management and LCA quantification to develop relevant and applicable models and frameworks. This includes drawing on theories and methods of other research fields and applying these in the context of waste management and LCA. 

The project aims to:

• Improve the current methods of assessing the influence of time and geography in waste management systems by creating a Python-based digital EASETECH twin, based on Brightway2.5 and Python. And with time a linked model from EASETECH to Brightway.
• Assess the influence of residence times and event-driven dynamics on Python-based EASETECH waste management models and apply this in the context of “slowing the loop” strategies.
• Develop methods for estimating the accumulated stocks of substances and convert waste properties of a product, which will be used in EASETECH waste modeling to track the substance flows of a product throughout a waste management system.
• Collaborate with industry partners and researchers across disciplines to develop open-source LCA approaches that support relevant research and decision-making.
• You have extensive experience in LCA modeling, both in EASETECH and brightway2.5, and have good understanding of how to integrate the two tools.
• You have professional experience in developing Python-based waste models.
• You have a strong background in environmental engineering with a specialization in residual resource engineering.
• You are comfortable using statistics and Markovian models for method and framework development.
• You have a drive for development of transparent and open-source LCA modeling tools to advance environmental waste modeling and software within the field of Industrial Ecology and to create models that can be used to make a real societal impact. 

As a person, you are creative, open-minded and can work independently, while also being pragmatic, curious and driven in your research. Collaboration is central to your work, and you bring strong social and team skills. You can communicate scientific topics clearly and effectively to both experts and non-specialists. Proficiency in English is required. 

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. The master’s degree must be in Environmental Engineering or similar

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. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is preferably 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a full-time position. Workplace is Campus Lyngby 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Anders Damgaard (adam@dtu.dk ) (main-supervisor, DTU) 

You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.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. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 7 April 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 2-3 page research proposal for the PhD setup

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.

DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

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.