Anders Damgaard

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship focused on the prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) of innovative membranes produced from recycled materials. This position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, a European training network dedicated to advancing membrane technologies for water and food industries. The research aims to understand and mitigate the environmental and health impacts associated with the production and use of advanced membranes, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable practices in the sector. The successful candidate will conduct prospective LCA to evaluate the environmental sustainability of new membrane solutions, identifying environmental hotspots and potential improvements throughout the product life cycle—from production to end-of-life. The project will utilize the SIMPL approach to forecast lab-scale results to full-scale applications, incorporating PESTLE and causal loop diagrams to account for non-engineering factors and ensure a comprehensive value chain analysis. The research will also involve the evaluation of AQUAPORIN membranes and extend environmental screening to other membranes within the consortium, providing data-driven insights to guide the development of eco-friendly membrane technologies. The PhD candidate will collaborate closely with academic researchers and industry experts across Europe, participate in secondments at industry partners, and undertake a research stay at a partner university. The project supports the adaptation of the EU's Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to the specific challenges of membrane materials. DTU Sustain, the host department, is one of Europe's largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering, with a strong focus on developing sustainable technologies and solutions. The position offers a dynamic, international research environment, a competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development. The employment period is 3 years, starting preferably on 1 April 2026. Applicants should have a relevant master's degree (or equivalent) in materials engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Experience with LCA modelling, mass and substance balances, data quality assessment, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and familiarity with membranes or waste materials are advantageous. Prior involvement in EU-funded or international research collaborations is a plus. Proficiency in English is required, and candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule (not having resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment). Applications must be submitted online by 15 December 2025, including a cover letter, CV, grade transcripts, and degree certificates. For further information, contact Dr. Anders Damgaard or Dr. Wenjing (Angela) Zhang.

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, focusing on the development of polymer nanofiber membranes from recycled membrane waste materials. The project is rooted in sustainability and circular economy principles, aiming to transform end-of-life membrane waste into functional nanofiber membranes using advanced electrospinning techniques. The research will evaluate the performance of these membranes in water treatment and food production applications, contributing to the advancement of membrane technologies for the water and food industries. The successful candidate will join DTU Sustain, one of Europe's largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering, and will collaborate closely with other PhD students and researchers across the UP2MEM network. The project also involves conducting prospective life cycle assessments (pLCA) to identify environmental hotspots and guide the selection of materials and energy sources, ensuring the sustainability of the developed solutions. The PhD student will have opportunities for secondments at industry partners and research stays at partner universities, gaining valuable experience in both academic and industrial settings. Applicants should have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in material science and engineering, environmental engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering. Experience with polymer materials, membranes, or waste materials is advantageous, as is prior involvement in EU-funded or international research collaborations. Candidates must comply with MSCA mobility rules, meaning they must not have resided or carried out main activities in Denmark for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the application deadline. The position is full-time for three years, with salary and benefits in line with Danish regulations. DTU offers a dynamic, international research environment with a commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and knowledge sharing. The application deadline is 15 December 2025, and the preferred start date is 1 April 2026. For further information, applicants may contact Dr. Wenjing (Angela) Zhang or Dr. Anders Damgaard. DTU Sustain is dedicated to developing new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods, and solutions, and disseminating this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities, fostering an inclusive and international atmosphere. DTU itself is a leading technical university globally recognized for research, education, innovation, and scientific advice, with a mission to develop technology for people and address global challenges. The university has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees, and collaborates with top universities worldwide. The PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable technology development in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

This fully funded PhD position at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) offers an exciting opportunity to advance circular membrane technologies by transforming membrane waste into functional polymer nanofiber membranes for water and food industry applications. The project is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, a European training network dedicated to developing advanced membrane technologies for sustainable industrial use. As a PhD student, you will engage in highly interdisciplinary research, gaining expertise in sustainable material design, membrane technologies, prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA), and industrial innovation. The research will focus on analyzing polymer membrane waste, developing electrospinning methods to produce nanofiber membranes, and evaluating their performance in water treatment and food production. You will collaborate closely with other PhD candidates and researchers within the UP2MEM network, including those at DTU working on environmental hotspot identification and improvement strategies through LCA. The position involves secondments at industry partners and research stays at partner universities, providing a broad European research experience. DTU Sustain, the host department, is one of Europe's largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering, with a strong commitment to developing sustainable technologies and solutions. The department boasts a diverse staff and fosters an inclusive, knowledge-sharing environment. The PhD position is fully funded for three years, with salary and terms based on the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations' collective agreement. Applicants must hold a two-year master's degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields such as material science, environmental engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering. Experience with polymer materials, membranes, or waste materials is advantageous, as is prior participation in EU-funded or international research collaborations. MSCA mobility rules apply, restricting candidates who have resided or worked in Denmark for more than 12 months in the past three years. The application process requires submission of a cover letter, CV, transcripts, and diplomas in English as a single PDF file via the online portal by 15 December 2025. DTU offers a vibrant international research environment, support for relocation, and opportunities for professional development. For further information, contact Dr. Wenjing (Angela) Zhang or Dr. Anders Damgaard at DTU Sustain.

This fully funded PhD position at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, which focuses on advanced membrane technologies for water and food industries. The research aims to understand and mitigate the environmental and health impacts of membrane solutions, integrating sustainable materials design, prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA), and industrial innovation. The project will use the SIMPL approach to forecast lab-scale results to full-scale applications, and will incorporate PESTLE analysis and causal loop diagrams to consider non-engineering factors in future scenarios. The successful candidate will conduct pLCA to evaluate the environmental sustainability of new membrane solutions, assess impacts throughout the life cycle from production to end-of-life, and provide data-driven insights to guide the development of eco-friendly membrane technologies. Collaboration with academic and industry partners across Europe is central, including secondments and research stays at partner institutions. The position is based at DTU Sustain, one of Europe's largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering, and offers a vibrant, international research environment. Applicants should have a two-year master's degree or equivalent, proficiency in English, and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. Experience with LCA modelling, membranes, waste materials, and international research collaborations is advantageous. The position is fully funded for three years, with salary and benefits according to Danish regulations. The application deadline is 15 December 2025, and candidates must submit all materials in English as a single PDF file. DTU is committed to diversity and inclusion, and works on critical technology subject to security and export control regulations. The department fosters the development of sustainable technologies and solutions, contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.