PhD scholarship in CFD and System Analysis of an Integrable Calcination Technology for CO2 Capture in Cement Production – DTU Chemical Engineering

About the Role

This PhD position offers an opportunity to develop advanced modelling tools for decarbonising one of the world’s most CO₂-intensive industries: cement production. You will work at the interface of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), high-temperature process engineering, carbon capture, and sustainability analysis. The position is part of the INNO-CCUS-funded CAP-FLEX project, which aims to develop a novel calcination technology that can be integrated into existing cement plants to produce a concentrated CO₂ stream. The technology builds on the pulse-fluidized FUELFLEX® Pyrolyser developed by Fuller Technologies and combines flexible heat input from electric heating and oxyfuel combustion.

The PhD project is a collaboration between DTU Chemical Engineering, DTU Sustain, Fuller Technologies, and other partners. It covers two connected modelling tracks: CFD/process modelling anchored at DTU Chemical Engineering and system/sustainability modelling in collaboration with DTU Sustain. You will develop and validate CFD and engineering models using experimental, pilot-scale, and industrial data generated in the project. The models will support process design, operation, optimization, and scale-up, and contribute to life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, and broader system analysis. You will join an interdisciplinary, industry-oriented research environment combining fundamental modelling, experimental validation, sustainability assessment, and industrial scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate CFD models for gas–solid flow, heat transfer, oxyfuel combustion, electric heating, and calcination
• Use CFD and engineering models to analyse key process parameters and support process design, operation, optimization, and scale-up
• Contribute to system-level assessment of the technology, including life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, and sustainability analysis
• Publish results in scientific journals and present work at project meetings and international conferences

Qualifications

• A two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, energy engineering, process engineering, or a related field
• Experience with one or more of the following is an advantage: CFD modelling of multiphase reactive flows; high-temperature processes, combustion, calcination, cement production, or carbon capture; life cycle assessment, techno-economic assessment, system analysis, or sustainability assessment
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with academic and industrial partners
• Good written and spoken English skills

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 enrolment requirements and planning of the PhD study programme, see DTU’s rules for PhD education.

Assessment

Applicants will be assessed by Prof. Hao Wu (DTU Chemical Engineering) and Associate Professor Daniel Fozer (DTU Sustain).

What We Offer

DTU is a leading technical university recognized globally for excellence in research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. You will work in an international environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom. The appointment is based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations; salary allowance is agreed with the relevant union. The position is full-time for 3 years, with a planned start date of 1 October 2026 (or according to mutual agreement).

How to Apply

Submit your complete online application as one PDF file in English by 15 August 2026 (23:59 Danish time).

The PDF must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of the grading scale

You may apply before obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin the position 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 subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates.

For further information, contact Prof. Hao Wu ([email protected]) or Associate Professor Daniel Fozer ([email protected]). Details about DTU Chemical Engineering are available at www.kt.dtu.dk. Information for international applicants can be found at DTU – Moving to Denmark. You can also join the monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup Zoom seminar” for practical matters.

Original vacancy