If you are you passionate about getting to the core of a scientific problem and coming up with creative solutions, and if you are you passionate about experimental electrocatalysis and its role in building green technologies, here is a perfect PhD project for you. 

Electrocatalysts are essential materials for producing green fuels and chemicals. Conventional electrocatalysts with two-dimensional active sites, however, have a fundamentally limited efficiency for facilitating complex reactions that involve three or more reaction intermediates, due to the "scaling relations". In CAT3D, a five-year Villum Young Investigator project that fully funds this PhD position, along with two postdoc positions, we will tackle this grand challenge by fabricating and studying electrocatalysts with three-dimensional active site structures. With the concerted and concentrated research efforts, we aim to pave the way for developing the next generation electrocatalysts for a broad range of green technologies.   

At DTU Energy, we have a long-standing legacy in research and development of sustainable energy conversion technologies. We are recognized as global leaders in this field, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and deep expertise. Our infrastructure spans the full spectrum from fundamental electrochemical studies to the fabrication of lab-scale components and devices.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This PhD project focuses on the synthesis and investigation of electrocatalysts with well-defined three-dimensional active site structures, aiming to break scaling relations. A variety of chemical and physical synthesis techniques, along with advanced structural characterization tools, will be employed to achieve this goal. 

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Synthesizing electrocatalysts with well-defined three-dimensional active site structures using a range of chemical and physical synthesis techniques.
• Characterizing bulk and surface structures of the catalysts through standard ex-situ spectroscopic and microscopic methods, including XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and XPS.
• Evaluating catalytic performance for various electrochemical reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction.
• Collaborating with theoretical research groups to guide the design of active site structures through computational modelling.
• Working closely with other project members involved in in-situ studies and complementary research topics to ensure integrated project development.

We welcome candidates who are passionate about the research topic of this project and who have academic training in one or more of the following areas:

• A master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related discipline (required).
• Courses or experience in catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, or related subjects. 
• Courses or experience in electrochemistry, electrochemical engineering, electrocatalysis, or related subjects.
• Courses or experience in the synthesis of nanomaterials.
• Courses or experience in characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

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 Associate Professor Yang Hu (yanhu@dtu.dk), and Head of Section Johan Hjelm (johh@dtu.dk).

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 preferred starting date is 1 November 2025 (or 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 Associate Professor Yang Hu (yanhu@dtu.dk, +45 5265 1275). 
 
You can read more about the department DTU Energy at www.energy.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 15 September 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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Documents showing relevant competencies and experience (optional)

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 Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy)  focuses on research and development of functional materials, components, and systems for sustainable energy technologies. The technologies include fuel cells, electrolysis, power-to-x, batteries, and carbon capture. The research is based on strong competences on electrochemistry, atomic scale and multi-physics modelling, autonomous materials discovery, materials processing, and structural analyses. We also focus on educating engineering students at all levels, ranging from BSc, MSc, PhD to lifelong learning students. We have about 300 dedicated employees. Read more about us at  www.energy.dtu.dk .

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.