Are you passionate about materials science, electron microscopy, and tackling real-world environmental challenges? 

Join us at the National Centre for Nanofabrication and Characterization (DTU Nanolab) to explore how nanoporous materials can help remove chemicals, e.g. PFAS ("forever chemicals"), from water.

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to investigate the interfacial phenomena between water contaminants and adsorbent materials. As a member of the “Nano-Micro-Macro. Structure in Materials” research group, led by Prof. Joerg Jinschek, you will push the boundaries of electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy to reveal the structure–property relationships that govern molecular adsorption mechanisms.

This interdisciplinary project is fully funded by DTU’s PhD grant for a joint Alliance Research Project and will be conducted in close collaboration with Dr. Romy Ettlinger at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The Ettlinger group specializes in reticular chemistry, designing and testing porous composite materials for advanced water remediation.

What We Offer:

• Access to world-class facilities at DTU Nanolab, including cutting-edge electron microscopy instrumentation.
• A dynamic, international research environment at the forefront of materials characterization and environmental innovation.
• A unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact project addressing global water contamination through advanced materials science.

Your Role:

• Investigate the structural and chemical dynamics of molecular adsorption processes using advanced characterization techniques.
• Develop and apply state-of-the-art electron microscopy methods to study molecules-adsorbents interfaces.
• Collaborate closely with TUM to correlate nanoscale insights with material performance.
• Contribute to the development of next-generation materials for water purification.

Responsibilities and qualifications
In the research group “Nano-Micro-Macro. Structure in Materials”, we strive at developing and applying concepts for characterizing structures, mainly focusing on state-of-the-art EM. The interdisciplinary efforts aim at developing fundamental understandings of process-structure-property relationships.

Your Key Responsibilities (in close collaboration with TU Munich):

• Develop a deep understanding of materials engineering principles to guide the design and functionalization of nanoporous materials.
• Establish robust, high-resolution electron microscopy protocols to identify and quantify interfacial structural phenomena.
• Correlate interfacial structure with adsorption performance, contributing to a conceptual framework linking nanoscale features to macroscopic adsorption efficiency.
• Generate and curate high-quality datasets to support data-driven materials optimization and future integration with AI-assisted design tools.

What We’re Looking For:

• A strong interest in interdisciplinary and international collaboration, particularly at the intersection of materials science, (reticular) chemistry, and environmental engineering.
• A collaborative and analytical mindset, with the ability to synthesize complex information across experimental and theoretical domains.
• Enthusiasm for advanced electron microscopy techniques (e.g., HR-TEM, HR-STEM, 4D-STEM, iDPC, ptychography) and their application to challenging hybrid materials.
• Curiosity about how ML/AI-driven data science can accelerate discovery and innovation in materials research.

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 . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Joerg Jinschek.

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. The position is a full-time position. Expected starting date is 01. December 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter according to mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Joerg Jinschek, email: jojin@dtu.dk .

You can read more about DTU Nanolab at www.nanolab.dtu.dk and the Research group at www.nanolab.dtu.dk/research/nano-micro-macro-structure-in-materials  / https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/organisations/nano-micro-macro-structure-in-materials .

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 15 August 2025 (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:

• Cover letter
• Letter of motivation (“statement of purpose”) – essential, will be read first
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

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 Nanolab is a common infrastructure and research facility located at and fully owned by the Technical University of Denmark, DTU. DTU Nanolab houses a state-of-the-art electron microscopy center. The work carried out at DTU Nanolab spans the range of basic topographical studies to highly sophisticated analysis of nanoscale materials in hard and soft matter.   

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.