If you are eager to advance sustainable solar-driven hybrid methane production technologies for bio-electrochemical CO2 utilization and contribute to solving one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, this position is for you.

At DTU Sustain, you will work at the forefront of environmental engineering and photo-bio-electrochemical technology, developing innovative solutions for CO2 utilization and methane production. 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 biotechnology industry.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to advance the development of a sustainable photo-electrochemical process for methanation using biogenic CO2. You will work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team in Water Technology and Processes section at DTU Sustain, combining environmental engineering, biotechnology, electrochemistry and process optimization to achieve more efficient CO2-to-CH4 conversion. The PhD position is funded by MSCA Doctoral Networks program.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Cultivation of methanogenic archea
• Coupling electrochemical biofilm to photocathodes
• Design and conduct laboratory-scale photo-bio-electrochemical experiments
• Direct interspecies electron transfer mechanism characterization
• Optimize operating parameters to enhance process performance and robustness
• 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 has a strong experimental background in environmental biotechnology, electrochemistry, or chemical reaction engineering. Experience with analytical chemistry techniques for metabolite 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 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here

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 www. 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 1 July 2026 (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.

DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society.  We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

Water Technology and Processes (WTP) Section
WTP focuses on greener and circular solutions for managing water and residual resources across urban, industrial, and agricultural settings. Research covers the full water continuum, from source water to wastewater, and includes micropollutant removal, advanced materials and membranes, environmental biotechnology, and holistic assessment of water technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.