PhD Scholarship in Experimental Solid-State Battery Research with self-healing capability – DTU Energy

About the opportunity

At DTU Energy as a member of the section Applied Ceramics and Processing (ACE), you will join the HealBat project team developing a novel potassium-sulfur (K-S) solid-state battery with self-healing capabilities. You will perform hands-on materials synthesis and electrochemical characterisation, working in close collaboration with a computational team and international partners at the University of Texas at Austin and the Technical University of Munich. Joining us means gaining deep expertise in cutting-edge battery characterisation techniques, building a strong international research network, and contributing directly to the green energy transition. The position includes a 3-year employment period, starting on 1 January 2027 or according to mutual agreement, and a potential three-month research stay at an international partner institution such as the Technical University of Munich.

Salary and benefits

• Fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship position with salary and appointment terms based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations
• Allowance agreed upon with the relevant union
• Opportunity to participate in a three-month research stay at an international partner institution like the Technical University of Munich
• Access to a rewarding and challenging job in an international research environment at a leading technical university

Who can apply?

• An MSc degree in materials science, electrochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline, obtained before employment begins
• Must hold 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
• Experience with electrochemical characterisation techniques such as impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic cycling
• Experience with solid-state materials synthesis and structural characterisation, for example X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy
• Strong interest in battery materials, solid-state electrolytes, and electrochemical energy storage
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment where experiments and computational modelling are closely integrated
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills

Required documents

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of publications (if any) indicating scientific highlights
• List of References (at least two)

When to apply

• Application deadline is 1 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time)
• Starting date is 1 January 2027, or according to mutual agreement

How to apply

• Open the link "Apply now" on the official job vacancy page
• Fill out the online application form
• Attach all required materials in English merged into one single PDF file

Additional information

• 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.
• The assessment of applicants will be made by Dr. Mohamad Khoshkalam, Head of Section Prof. Johan Hjelm, Head of Section Prof. Ragnar Kiebach, and Head of Section Prof. Ivano E. Castelli.
• As DTU works with research in critical technology subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates.