At the Technical University of Denmark, Department of Energy Conversion and Storage (DTU Energy) we are looking for a PhD-student to conduct research on a novel type of magnetic levitation using permanent magnets.
Magnetic levitation has long been considered a child of science fiction literature, but it is actually a physical technology that is becoming increasingly mature. Although the laws of physics unfortunately prevent stable levitation of stationary ferromagnets, one can achieve stable levitation by other techniques such as active stabilization with electrical or magnetic fields or by spin stabilised levitation using the gyroscopic effect.
At DTU, we have pioneered a novel magnetic levitation technique where, using a simple setup with a rotating permanent magnet, we can cause another magnet to levitate nearby. We are the leading group studying this recently discovered phenomenon, which can easily be reproduced with off-the-shelf components – you can find a video showing the phenomenon at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1eVSmnGJNc .
Responsibilities and qualifications
In this PhD project we are looking for a PhD student to help us understand the physics of the levitation phenomenon and to study its stability, both experimentally and theoretically. In preliminary works, we have showed that, despite gyroscopic stabilization, the levitation phenomenon can eventually destabilize. The duration of the stable levitation regime is affected by various factors such as rotational speed and relative position and orientation of the two magnets. A key aim in this project is thus to understand the cause of instabilities and to realize a truly stable levitation regime. This PhD project is an alliance-PhD project together with Technical University Eindhoven (TU/e) where you will spend up to six months working with Prof. Lomonova’s group with the goal of carrying stability-enhancing mechanisms from actively stabilized magnetic levitation to the novel rotating levitation phenomenon.
You will get to expand the experimental magnetic levitation setup at DTU to allow stability to be studied systematically and perform experiments to stabilize the levitation phenomenon. You will also get to use theoretical and numerical models to study the levitation phenomenon and compare parameters such as levitation time and stability to experiments, as well as investigating whether bifurcation theory can be applied to predict the emergence of instabilities. Building demonstration kits of the levitation phenomenon will also be a task. The novel levitation that we study has the promise of being used in everything from contactless manipulation to floating displays and in this project you will have the exciting opportunity of bringing the novel magnetic levitation approach closer to being utilized by society.
To be qualified you must have:
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
.
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 1 January 2026 (or according to mutual agreement).
You can read more about career paths at DTU here .
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Rasmus Bjørk, +45 46 77 58 95, rabj@dtu.dk
You can read more about 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 Monday 3 November 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:
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.