About The Role

Are you a motivated PhD candidate who wants to help shape the future of crystallization in the pharmaceutical industry. In this project, you will work at the interface between chemical engineering, process technology, and industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing. The aim is to develop and test continuous crystallization-in-flow concepts that can make production of intermediates more robust and efficient. You will explore how flow-based crystallizers can improve control of crystal quality, purity, particle size distribution to interface with downstream handling by filtration and washing. The project combines literature insights and experimental work, with a particularly strong focus on equipment development in close collaboration with H. Lundbeck.

The work may include batch experiments, flow experiments, online and offline analysis, proof-of-concept testing, process optimization, and scale-up considerations. You will contribute to solving real challenges in pharmaceutical production, where small improvements in crystal properties can have major impact on quality, cost, and manufacturability. The project is suited for a candidate who enjoys experimental research, process understanding, hands-on equipment development, and translating scientific insight into practical technology. You will become part of an ambitious research environment at DTU Chemical Engineering and contribute to developing technologies that makes pharmaceutical manufacturing more reliable.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your main responsibility will be to develop, test, and evaluate continuous crystallization concepts for pharmaceutical intermediates. You will carry out a literature review of continuous crystallization technologies and use this knowledge to identify promising flow configurations and key operating parameters. The work will include planning and conducting flow crystallization experiments and developing new or improved laboratory-scale crystallizer setups. You will investigate how parameters such as mixing, temperature profiles, residence time, flow rates, and crystallizer design affect product quality, purity, filterability, particle size distribution, and downstream handling. You will also contribute to translating laboratory results into industrial implementation. Part of the work will take place at H. Lundbeck’s production site in Lumsås near Nykøbing Sjælland.

You should have a strong background in chemical engineering, process engineering, or a related field.
Experience with crystallization, separation processes, reaction engineering, fluid flow, particle technology, or pharmaceutical process development is an advantage.
You are motivated by experimental research and enjoy hands-on work with laboratory equipment, process setups, troubleshooting, and data analysis.
You are curious, systematic, and able to combine fundamental process understanding with practical technology development.
You have good communication skills in English and are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment with both academic and industrial partners.

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 [HS2] in chemical engineering, process engineering, or a related field.

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 Assoc. Prof. Martin Høj, Prof. Anker Degn Jensen and Prof. Kim Dam-Johansen.

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 around January 1 st 2027 or after mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Martin Høj, e-mail [email hidden] .

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk/english .

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 13 September 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

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.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research cover separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies.

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.