PhD scholarship in Sustainable Photochemical PFAS Destruction - DTU Sustain

Jobbeskrivelse

If you are eager to advance sustainable water treatment technologies and contribute to solving one of the world’s most persistent environmental challenges, this position is for you. At DTU Sustain, you will work at the forefront of environmental engineering and photochemical technology, developing innovative solutions for the degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). You will gain hands-on experience with advanced analytical tools, reactor design, and reaction kinetics, skills that will prepare you for a future career in academia, research, or the water industry.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your overall focus will be to advance the development of a sustainable photochemical reduction process for PFAS mineralization using a green reducing agent. You will work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team in Water Technology and Processes section at DTU Sustain, combining environmental engineering, photochemistry, electrochemistry and process optimization to achieve safer and more efficient PFAS destruction.

• Design and conduct laboratory-scale UV photochemical experiments
• Investigate the photochemistry and reaction kinetics of novel reducing agents
• Evaluate PFAS degradation pathways, defluorination efficiency, and byproduct formation
• Optimize operating parameters to enhance process performance and robustness
• Integrate the developed process with existing PFAS treatment technologies
• Analyze samples using advanced chemical and spectroscopic techniques (e.g., LC-MS, IC, TOC)
• Disseminate findings through scientific publications and conference presentations

We are looking for a candidate who have a strong experimental background in water treatment, photochemistry, or chemical reaction engineering. Experience with analytical chemistry techniques for contaminant detecting and quantification is essential. A good command of both written and spoken English is required, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team. 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.

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 Yifeng Zhang and the project team based on qualifications, relevant experience, and motivation for the project.

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 expected starting date is 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Yifeng Zhang (yifz@dtu.dk) - https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/yifeng-zhang You can read more about DTU Sustain at https://sustain.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 December 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
• 1-2 recommendation letters from experts in the field

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.