If you are looking for a research opportunity and a PhD position, here is a possibility at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark. The PhD project is part of MADE REACT (Resilient manufacturing systems through AI-powered and digitally Connected Technologies), which is a national collaboration involving 23 leading companies, five Danish universities, and three research and technology organizations.
This PhD project is focused on glass cutting, where large, laminated glass panels are cut to sizes for window production. The process involves pre-cutting and bending to break the glass panels. The project will involve the establishment of a numerical model and the acquisition and analysis of data from physical measurements in the production at the industrial partner, Velux. This will enhance the physical understanding of the occurrence of micro-cracks and their impact in the final application as windows, where temperature gradients and mechanical loads may lead to large fractures initiated by the micro-cracks created from the glass cutting.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD project will explore the synergies between numerical simulations and physically measured data to enhance the understanding of initiation of microcracks during glass cutting in the production environment. The different stress states and their influence on crack opening will be studied based on simulations and boundary conditions from the measured data. The production environment and variabilities of production conditions shall be considered. After having established a fundamental understanding of the process, statistics and data analytics shall be applied to link the different conditions to the likelihood of microcracks occurring. The severity of microcracks may also be studied in relation to the expected loading conditions during the lifetime of a window.
Your primary tasks in the PhD project will be to:
- Identify relevant material and process parameters for characterization of glass cutting in the production facility.
- Establish a numerical model to simulate the glass cutting process.
- Design experimental measurements and assist in the integration of sensors in production.
- Acquire measured data, apply necessary filtering and selection of data features to be stored.
- Couple the numerical model and the measured input data to establish a model that can predict the outcome in terms of occurrence or density/size of microcracks.
- Suggest process improvements based on the model with the aim of enhancing process robustness.
- Suggest inline process parameter changes that might be implemented for adjustable glass cutting to improve robustness further.
Furthermore, your tasks as an academic employee will include:
- Assistance in teaching.
- Supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.
- Dissemination of research results in scientific journals and conferences.
Qualifications:
- Good understanding of solid mechanics and preferably modeling of damage and/or fracture.
- Experience with experimental work and data acquisition and statistical methods is an advantage.
- Experience with numerical simulations (FEM).
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.
You will work in a research team combining manufacturing engineering, solid mechanics, experimental methods and analytical/numerical modeling. A longer period at a university outside Denmark is needed, lab work will partly be carried out with an industrial partner, and visits and presentations to Danish industry are also generally expected.
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 the applicants will be made by Professor Jesper Hattel and Associate Professor Chris Valentin Nielsen.
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 position is to be filled November 1, 2025, or soon after that.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Jesper Hattel, [email protected] and Associate Professor Chris Valentin Nielsen, [email protected].
You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.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 15 August 2025 (23:59 Danish time). 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
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 Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
