PhD scholarship in Leveraging Maintenance with Data: Applying Modular Maintenance in Asset-Heavy Industries - DTU Construct

Jobbeskrivelse

Are you ready to use data and engineering to change how industries manage complex systems? At DTU Construct, we offer you the chance to pursue a PhD that bridges cutting-edge research with real industrial practice. You will work on asset-heavy cases from sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and process industries, where maintenance is not just about fixing breakdowns but about ensuring competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation. By joining us, you will gain the tools to develop data-driven, modular approaches to maintenance, collaborate with leading companies, and position yourself at the forefront of research that has immediate value for industry and society.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your overall focus will be to develop new approaches to modular, data-driven maintenance in asset-heavy industries. You will explore how maintenance can move from being a cost driver to a source of competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability. Working closely with both academic supervisors and industry partners, you will bridge theory and practice to create research with real-world impact.

• Conduct research on data-driven and modular approaches to maintenance
• Collect and analyze industrial case data in energy, manufacturing, or process sectors
• Develop conceptual and computational models linking operations and maintenance
• Validate frameworks in collaboration with industrial partners
• Publish findings in leading journals and present at international conferences
• Contribute to teaching and supervision of BSc and MSc student projects

We are looking for candidates who hold a master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in engineering, industrial management, or a related field. You should have a strong interest in maintenance, operations, data modeling, or lifecycle engineering. Solid analytical skills and experience with either quantitative or qualitative research methods are essential. We value individuals who can collaborate effectively with both industry and academia, while also being able to work independently. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are required.

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 an expert committee appointed by DTU Construct. The committee will evaluate candidates based on academic qualifications, research potential, and their ability to contribute to both the scientific and industrial objectives of the project.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for its excellence in 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.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Niels Henrik Mortensen, nhno@dtu.dk. You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.dtu.dk.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 24 November 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.