PhD Scholarship in Development of Cement-Free Living Building Materials for Sustainable Construction – DTU Construct

About the opportunity

DTU Construct invites applications for a PhD scholarship to develop living building materials. The candidate will investigate fungal-bacterial interactions, develop bio-composites based on microbial biomineralization, and design bio-based hydrogel systems for 3D printing. The project is highly interdisciplinary, involving materials science, biotechnology, and additive manufacturing. You will collaborate with DTU Bioengineering and TU Delft, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for microbial cultivation and advanced characterization. The position includes international research stays and aims to address sustainable construction challenges.

Salary and benefits

• 3-year full-time employment.
• Salary based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for microbial cultivation, biomaterials synthesis, and 3D printing.
• International research stays with collaborators such as TU Delft.
• Opportunities to develop a broad scientific network.
• Relocation support through monthly seminars for international PhD candidates.

Who can apply?

• Must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent.
• Hands-on experience in fungal cultivation and microbiological techniques is required.
• Experience with microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology is preferred.
• Knowledge of microbial interactions with their physical-chemical environment is preferred.
• Experience in biomaterials, polymer science, and hydrogel systems is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with material fabrication techniques like 3D printing is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and in collaborative environments.

Required documents

• Cover letter (letter motivating the application).
• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale.
• All materials must be submitted as one PDF file in English.

When to apply

• Application deadline: October 1, 2026, at 23:59 Danish time.

How to apply

• Open the 'Apply now' link on the official DTU job portal.
• Fill out the online application form.
• Attach all required materials (cover letter, CV, transcripts, and diplomas) as a single PDF file in English.
• Submit the application before the deadline.

Additional information

• Starting date: February 1, 2027, or by mutual agreement.
• The scholarship is subject to academic approval and enrolment in a DTU PhD programme.
• Open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates due to security and export control rules for critical technology.