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Technical University of Denmark
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PhD Student in PHA Processing and Modification by Reactive Extrusion Technical University of Denmark in Denmark
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
PhD scholarship subject to academic approval; 3-year employment under the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
Deadline
Nov 24, 2026
Country
Denmark
University
Technical University of Denmark
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About this position
This PhD project at the Technical University of Denmark focuses on the processing and modification of renewable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) materials through reactive extrusion. The student will work on developing next-generation PHA compounds by combining advanced polymer processing, formulation design, and reactive processing routes.
The project is centered on understanding and improving how PHA formulations behave during extrusion-based processing, with an emphasis on the links between formulation, processing history, polymer structure, and final material properties. The research includes preparing and processing new PHA formulations, investigating additive concepts, and evaluating the resulting compounds for routes such as injection moulding, extrusion, and blow moulding.
A major element of the work is the combination of offline polymer characterization with online and in-line analytical methods. The project aims to monitor changes during processing and use that information to support adaptive control of composition and process conditions. The research environment spans polymer chemistry, processing, and analytical disciplines, and the work is embedded in DTU Chemical Engineering, a department known for experiments at microscale, laboratory scale, pilot facilities, and industrial scale.
The project is expected to generate new knowledge on the processing and stabilization of PHA-based materials and to contribute to high-performance compounds designed for safe handling, demanding processing routes, and environmentally benign end-of-life scenarios.
Funding details
PhD scholarship subject to academic approval; 3-year employment under the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
What's required
Applicants must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent degree at the same academic level. Practical experience in polymer processing, preferably extrusion or reactive extrusion, is expected, ideally gained through MSc studies or equivalent research activities. Candidates should have a strong interest in biopolymers, polymer formulation, compounding, and structure-property-processing relationships, and hands-on experience with polymer characterization, particularly FTIR, rheology, DSC, TGA, and NMR. Experience with Raman spectroscopy, online analysis, process monitoring, injection moulding, film or profile extrusion, or blow moulding is advantageous. The ability to plan experimental work independently, collaborate across disciplines, and an interest in teaching and supervising student projects are also requested.
How to apply
Submit the complete online application through the Apply now link by the deadline. Upload one PDF in English containing a motivation letter, CV, grade transcripts, BSc/MSc diploma with grading scale description, and a table of processing/synthesis and characterization experience. Applications must be submitted before the deadline and you may apply before receiving the master's degree, but cannot start before it is awarded.
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