项目介绍

2023年6月30日

Would you like to use your chemical engineering skills to save the ocean from pollution and to safeguard biodiversity by minimizing invasive species, as well as improving the protective efficiency of marine and offshore structures from fouling settlement? 

As a chemical engineer, you can help to minimize the impact of pollution on marine life by developing innovative solutions to mitigate its effects. You can also contribute to the fight against invasive species by developing sustainable and effective methods for controlling their spread. By using your skills to tackle these challenges, you can make a real difference in safeguarding biodiversity and protecting the ocean for future generations. So why not join CoaST Research Centre who is committed to developing sustainable coatings solutions to address these challenges? Joining CoaST would allow you to make a positive impact, and the world needs your skills now more than ever. 

Fouling control coatings are widely used to prevent or minimize the accumulation of fouling organisms on submerged surfaces, such as ship hulls, offshore structures, and aquaculture facilities. However, over time, fouling can still accumulate on these surfaces, reducing the coatings’ effectiveness and increasing maintenance costs. Underwater cleaning can help to remove accumulated fouling and restore the coatings’ antifouling or fouling-release properties. Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of established standards or sufficient information regarding which cleaning tools and protocols can be employed without adversely affecting the coatings’ effective lifespan. 

The objective of the project is to bridge the knowledge gap and provide guidance for the selection and development of effective fouling mitigation measures, including fouling control coatings and their coupled underwater cleaning.

Your specific tasks will include: 

• Literature survey on the current fouling mitigation measures, including coating technologies and underwater cleaning strategies;
• Evaluation of the fouling behavior of the fouling control coatings in underwater environments through static and dynamic exposure tests.
• Development and optimization of underwater cleaning methods for the coatings, taking into account their effectiveness, efficiency, safety and environmental impact;
• Assessment of the durability and performance of the coatings after cleaning;
• Investigation of the fouling and cleaning mechanisms of the coatings;
• Proposal on the fouling control solutions with coatings and the coupled cleaning strategies.

You are
A candidate with 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 (e.g.: a MSc degree equivalent to at least 5 years of studies including a BSc degree) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry or materials science. 

You are a newly graduated graduate or you might have experience from industry and a strong desire to turn towards research. We expect you to be able to handle and have an interest in experimental laboratory and formulation work. Experience with coatings may be an advantage.

You are high performing, visionary and thrive on turning exiting challenges into solutions based on curiosity and an open mind for entering new paths when necessary. You have a natural flair for driving things forward on your own, and you like to create results based on knowledge sharing and positive teamwork.

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.

At CoaST you will become part of a well-functioning group of nearly 50 people, of which 30 are PhD students. We strive for a high academic level without compromising on a good working environment. With more than 15 nationalities, our working environment is international, intercultural and including. Our working language is English.

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. 

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 starting date will be according to mutual agreement, but at the earliest 1 November 2023. The position is a full-time position. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Huichao Bi, phone:+45 45 25 29 54, hubi@kt.dtu.dk.   

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineeringand CoaST 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 17 July 2023 (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)
• A research proposal within the subject (1 page)
• 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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Hempel Foundation Coatings Science and Technology Centre (CoaST) was established at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, as per 1 January 2017, based on a generous donation by the Hempel Foundation. CoaST Research Centre supports development, production and use of high performance organic coatings. Working along the whole value chain, CoaST research activities cover organic, polymer based coating technologies from raw materials over formulation, test and characterization to production and application. 

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 covers 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.   

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.