If you are looking for an exciting opportunity for a PhD, we at Materials and Surface Engineering section, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, is seeking candidate for a PhD position to work on investigating transient build-up condensed water layer on electronics surfaces such as Printed Circuit Board Assembly and DBC Substrates and how they lead to electrochemical failures under low and high voltage bias.
The project will also include the development of secondary electrochemical models as digital twins. This PhD project is part of CreCon – Industrial Consortium for Climatically Reliable Electronics at DTU. The PhD position also provides an opportunity to work in collaboration with major industries involved in electric vehicles/renewable energy systems.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Humidity is one of the key environmental factors that cause corrosion failure on electronic surfaces such as PCBA. Under conducive conditions, humidity forms water layer on active PCBA surfaces or any other electronic surfaces in the form of condensation, which leads to electrochemical failure modes such as electrochemical migration failures. Condensed water layer forms on any surface as concentric droplets, which grow into bigger droplets by coalescing together. Hence, corrosion failure in electronics under condensed water layer formation, growth and morphology of the layer play a big role, which is also a function of surface property of the substrate such as surface energy, roughness etc.
This PhD project aims to systematically investigate the condensed water film build up on electronic surfaces such polymer based PCBA substrates as well as ceramic DBC substrates and how they translate into failure. Work will also involve developing condensation models. The study will quantify the condensation rate vs morphology on various surfaces, while understanding how they translate into electrochemical failure depending on the creepage distance, potential bias, and surface characteristics such as solder mask surface morphology and surface energy. The PhD project will also focus on investigating how solder mask surface can be modified for hydrophobicity. Studies will also be carried out to understand how gravity plays a role in concentric droplet formation, coalescence, and fall when the PCBAs are arranged in vertical or angled conditions.
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.
Specialization should be in Materials Science and engineering or related subjects such as corrosion science and engineering. Masters in electronics/electrical engineering with prior experience on humidity/corrosion reliability of electronics is also suitable. For all qualifications, prior experience of corrosion of electronics or similar topics is an advantage. A combination of knowledge in electronics, materials, corrosion, and reliability is preferred.
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 1 March 2026 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
Professor Rajan Ambat, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, DTU, E-mail: raam(at)dtu.dk.
Dr. Kapil Kumar Gupta, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, DTU, E-mail: kkgup(at)dtu.dk.
You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.Construct.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 6 February 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:
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 Civil and Mechanical Engineering
develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems. The research under the section of Materials and Surface Engineering is multi-disciplinary and covers materials science, chemistry, physics, solid mechanics, and manufacturing technology. Properties and performance are evaluated by mechanical testing, tribology and testing in corrosive (aqueous or gaseous) and high-temperature environments.
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.