If you are ready to launch your research career in advanced manufacturing and want to build cutting-edge skills in AI and real-time data-driven production, this PhD opportunity is your gateway. As part of MADE REACT (Resilient manufacturing systems through AI-powered and digitally Connected Technologies)—a national collaboration involving 23 leading companies, five Danish universities, and three research and technology organizations—you will be at the forefront of shaping the future.

This PhD project offers you the opportunity to develop cutting-edge competencies in digital manufacturing platforms, data engineering, and AI-powered maintenance solutions—key capabilities for driving efficiency in the competitive semiconductor industry and beyond. You will explore how operational platforms can unify production environments, enabling predictive maintenance and data-driven optimization through centralized data platform architectures.

Your research will focus on addressing current bottlenecks in data and system management, especially around data quality, metadata governance, and the integration of machine data for long-term monitoring. Through a hybrid approach combining physical models and machine learning, you will help develop new methods for understanding complex failure mechanisms—an area where existing industrial knowledge remains limited.

The project will be executed in three systematic phases: first, establishing a robust data foundation; second, designing a modular and open digital platform; and third, developing a predictive maintenance application as a proof of concept.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This PhD project aims to develop scalable digital solutions that boost operational efficiency in the Silicon manufacturing sector. It will explore how integrating platform-based manufacturing concepts improves decision-making, reduces costs, and enhances cross-functional collaboration. The project also addresses practical implementation challenges in existing industrial settings. A key focus is demonstrating how predictive analytics can improve maintenance and production planning. By comparing data-driven and traditional methods, the project will highlight the tangible benefits of digital platforms. Ultimately, it aims to deliver a flexible, open solution adaptable across industries.

In addition to your core research responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to share your findings through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Think creatively and approaches problems with an open, computational mindset.
• Is motivated to bring data-driven insight to physical systems.
• Is enthusiastic about refining cutting-edge research ideas and validating them through practical implementation.

In addition, candidates must have prior experience in at least three of the following areas:

• Python programming 
• Develop LLM-based tools to automate data connector generation for data ingestion.
• Design and implement a multi-layered storage strategy for scalable PBM
• Build a microservice-based digital platform enabling plug-and-play analytics apps.
• Create user interfaces to simplify deployment of ML models on the platform.
• Develop hybrid predictive maintenance models combining physical and ML approaches.
• Test, validate, and integrate developed solutions in real industrial environments.

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 Senior Researcher Matteo Calaon. 

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Matteo Calaon, mcal@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 20 June 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

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. 

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.