PhD scholarship in Organic synthesis and Photophysical Studies – DTU Chemistry

Do you want to support the development of sustainable procedures for photochemical indigo textile dyeing? 

A 3-year PhD scholarship in Photochemistry studies is available starting from 1 February 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

You will become part of our interdisciplinary team in exploring our novel and ground-breaking discovery that textiles can be dyed with indican using only light. The work combines photochemistry, optical engineering, and process optimization in collaboration between DTU Chemistry and DTU Electro and is funded by a Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovator Grant.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your role will be to design and develop the photochemical formation of indigo from indican to provide a procedure for efficient indigo textile dying. The aim is to optimize the dyeing process to be technically feasible and economically viable at an industrial scale. Your primary task will be to optimize the photochemical process, including wavelength, reaction conditions and time. You will work in close collaboration with senior researchers, a PhD and a PostDoc at DTU Electro to develop a system with continuous in situ measuring of both indican concentration and indigo waste as well as yarn color.

Your work will have significant impacts on the understanding of indigo photochemical dyeing and will clarify the correlations between reaction conditions and the photochemical outcome. You will actively disseminate your results in scientific articles and through participation in international conferences.

The project will be carried out as a collaboration between DTU Chemistry and DTU Electro in Lyngby and Risø campus. 

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 strive towards scientific excellence, are ambitious, independent and hard working. You consider yourself among the brightest in your field and want to do science at the highest international level. Open-minded knowledge sharing and constructive teamwork are also key to success. Additionally, your CV comprises:

• A master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar with focus on organic chemistry or photochemistry
• Experience with organic synthesis and laboratory work is a requirement
• Experience in optical spectroscopy 
• Excellent language skills both written and spoken English

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 candidates will be made by Assoc Prof Katrine Qvortrup, Senior Researcher Carsten Dam Hansen and Senior Scientist Lars René Lindvold.

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. Starting date is 1 March 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place of employment is DTU Lyngby campus – but you will also connect with DTU Risø campus.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information 

Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Katrine Qvortrup, kaqvokemi.dtu.dk

. 

You can read more about DTU Chemistry 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 1 December 2024 (23:59 local 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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Chemistry

DTU Chemistry offers a PhD program with a comprehensive research education in modern chemistry. You will be in contact with international research communities and will be able to take part in your PhD study at a foreign research institution. You will be trained in dissemination of the world of chemistry and your own research as a teaching assistant at the Department as well as presenter at scientific conferences and events for the public and school students. You build skills and develop your knowledge in chemistry through participation in courses at DTU, other universities, research schools or summer schools.

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.