If you are ambitious and seeking to contribute to developing novel chemistry for a sustainable future a possibility is right here for you.
A 3-year PhD fellowship is available in chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, DTU from February 1, 2026 or soon thereafter. The fellowship is funded by DTU and will be carried out under the supervision of Professors Sebastian Meier and Robert Madsen in an international environment at DTU Chemistry.
We are interested in the discovery and characterization of novel chemical reactions proceeding in water at mild conditions and with environmentally friendly catalysts and substrates. We use NMR spectroscopy for serendipitous discoveries and unbiased characterizations of molecules, their conversion, and their interactions in complex systems. Solvent effects, kinetic details and the formation of C-C, C-O and C-N bonds are focus areas in our groups.
Responsibilities
In this project, organic chemistry in water using mild conditions will be explored for the efficient formation of high-value compounds. Advanced NMR methods and computational data analysis will be compounded to devise novel reactions towards pharmaceutical precursors, polymer building blocks and energy storage molecules. Solvent effects on catalysts, substrates, and their interactions, on the ensuing conversion pathways, and on their branch-points will be explored. Your work will strengthen the ambitions to accelerate the detection and optimization of sustainable chemical approaches through the development of novel reactions and advanced analytics using state of the art high-field and hyperpolarized NMR spectroscopy. The aim is to facilitate new processes through rational selection of suitable reactants and solvents, based upon their underlying effects on the speed of the transformations. You will work with colleagues at DTU and with academic partners at Nanyang Technical University Singapore, where an external stay will be conducted with a collaborator of the PIs. The interdisciplinary nature of the project makes it a prerequisite that you have a broad interest in the application of physical methods for the study of (bio)chemical function.
Your primary tasks will include to:
- develop, evolve, and apply simple NMR methods for the discovery of hitherto unknown reaction pathways,
- apply the methods to the discovery and optimization of novel environmentally-friendly reactions,
- devise, optimize and use approaches for the computational analysis of time-resolved data on reactions,
- contribute to teaching and supervising BSc and MSc student projects
Qualifications
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.
The successful candidate will have a degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, or biophysics. Experience with experimental organic chemistry, NMR, kinetic modelling and/or cheminformatics are advantages.
The candidate must be able to work independently, but also participate in collaborations, strive toward scientific excellence, be highly motivated, ambitious, and hard-working. Good communication skills in written and spoken English are required. The groups are ambitious and strive to publish in the leading international journals in the field.
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 Professors Sebastian Meier and Robert Madsen (DTU Chemistry).
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.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Sebastian Meier, tel.: +45 61 77 92 72, e-mail: [email protected] or Professor Robert Madsen, e-mail: [email protected]
You can read more about DTU Chemistry at www.kemi.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 30 September 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.
The Department of Chemistry performs research, educational activities, and innovation at a high international level within e.g. energy, catalysis, and materials. The overall aim is to contribute with new knowledge about basic scientific problems and carry out research with vast application perspectives - to the benefit of both society and companies.
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.