Do you want to help shape the next generation of high‑efficiency solid oxide electrolysers for hydrogen production?
Electrolysis and power-to-X are becoming key technologies in the green transition, as they will be essential for replacing the fossil-based fuels and materials that society relies on. Solid oxide electrolysis technology is a particularly promising technology because of high efficiency and thereby lower operational cost. However, the performance, cost, and robustness of the technology can still be improved.
We are seeking highly motivated PhD candidates to further develop novel high‑performance solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) concepts.
This is a job where you will get a chance to develop competences ranging across processing of ceramic materials, advanced microstructural characterization, electrochemical testing, and electrochemical modelling.
Responsibilities and qualifications
In this PhD project your primary responsibilities will include:
- Designing, fabricating and characterizing novel solid oxide electrolysis cells
- Conducting electrochemical performance and degradation tests and finding explanations for the results
- Collaborating with industrial partners, ensuring manufacturability and scalability
- Documenting results in scientific papers, reports, and presentations
To be qualified for this position you should preferably have:
- A strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment
- Experimental experience from lab work e.g. on materials characterisation
- Creativity, scientific curiosity, and a willingness to challenge existing solutions
- A strong knowledge base in one or more of the following fields; inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry or materials engineering/synthesis
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
- A degree in materials science, chemical engineering, energy engineering, physics, or a related field
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 applicants will be made by: Head of Section, Prof. Peter Vang Hendriksen, Prof. Henrik Lund Frandsen and Postdoc Morten Phan Klitkou.
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 workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus.
The employment is expected to start 1 August 2026, or according to mutual agreement.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here .
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Postdoc Morten Phan Klitkou (mphkl@dtu.dk) or Professor Henrik Lund Frandsen (hlfr@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 29 May 2026 (23:59 Danish time)
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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
- Contact information for two references
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 Energy is focused on education, research, and development within functional materials and their application in sustainable energy technologies. In a sustainable energy system, a large part of the energy will be supplied by fluctuating sources such as solar and wind power. This makes it critically important to be able to convert and store the energy as needed. Our research areas include fuel and electrolysis cells, solar cells, as well as batteries. We are ca. 300 employees. Additional information about the department can be found on http://www.energy.dtu.dk . You will be a part of the research section; Solid State Electrochemistry.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
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