Do you want to carry out a PhD project with international front-runners in environmental sustainability assessment? If so, these PhD positions might be the right fit for you!

You will improve ecotoxicity characterization models and develop characterization factors of metal compounds and improve absolute environmental sustainability assessment methods for biobased chemicals.

The positions are offered at the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment of the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain). The section spearheads the development of sustainability assessment methods. You will become part of an ambitious and team-based research environment with around 50 international staff members, postdocs, and PhD students.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The successful candidates will contribute to the improvement of life cycle impact assessment methods for evaluating toxic impacts of metals. The main tasks involve:

• Investigate the role of precipitation and dissolution kinetics in shaping the fate and exposure of metals in aquatic and terrestrial systems
• Develop ecotoxicity characterization factors for a broad range of dominant metal compounds and suggest life cycle inventory procedures aligned with the developed factors 
• Develop ecotoxicity characterization factors for biobased chemicals and compare them with fossil-based alternatives
• Improve downscaling approaches for improved absolute environmental sustainability assessments of epoxy resins, flame retardants, and surfactants

These tasks require experience in life cycle impact assessment or environmental risk assessment, and the ability to model metal speciation. Some tasks also require experience with decision-making tools such as life cycle assessment and/or absolute environmental sustainability assessment. The candidates are expected to participate in the department’s teaching activities.

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 will be made by Dr. Mikolaj Owsianiak and Prof. Michael Hauschild.

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 dates are October 1st, 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The positions are full-time positions.

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 Dr. Mikolaj Owsianiak, email: miow@dtu.dk  

You can read more about DTU Sustain at https://sustain.dtu.dk/en

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 5 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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A short summary (maximum half a page) of your command of life cycle impact assessment

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 Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development, scientific advice, and provides educational programs and services to society. We work to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 employees from more than 30 nationalities.

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.