PhD Positions in Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), Carbon Capture (CCS) & Environmental Impact | DTU Offshore, Denmark

Apply now for fully funded PhD positions at DTU Offshore, Denmark, focused on Underground Hydrogen Storage, Carbon Capture and Storage, and environmental geochemistry. Deadline: May 27, 2025.

🎓 Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Bio-Geo-Chemistry of UHS and CCS at DTU Offshore, Denmark

📍 Location: Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
🏛 Host Institution: DTU Offshore – Danish Offshore Technology Centre, Technical University of Denmark
🧪 Fields: Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Environmental Impact Research
🕒 Duration: 3 years (Full-time, fully funded)
🗓 Application Deadline: May 27, 2025
💬 Contact: Senior Researcher Hamid Nick | ✉️ hamid@dtu.dk

🔬 Tackle Real-World Energy Transition Challenges

Are you passionate about sustainable energy and environmental protection? Do you want to be at the forefront of the green transition? DTU Offshore is offering three exciting, fully funded PhD positions that combine bio-geochemistry, microbiology, and engineering to solve some of the most pressing global challenges in Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

This interdisciplinary opportunity is a unique chance to work at the cutting edge of applied research in collaboration with leading industrial partners like TotalEnergies and Nordsøfonden, and to contribute to safer, more efficient, and environmentally conscious energy storage technologies.

🧠 Research Focus Areas

DTU Offshore is committed to building resilient and safe technologies to support Denmark’s green energy goals. The selected PhD candidates will be working in one of the following pioneering research areas:

1. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS)

• Study microbial growth dynamics in salt caverns used for hydrogen storage

• Investigate the interactions between microbial activity, hydrogen transport, and cavern integrity

• Model diffusion and convection processes in subsurface storage environments

2. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

• Analyze the thermo-hydro-bio-geo-chemical behavior of CO₂ leaks from storage reservoirs

• Study the ecological impact of CO₂ and fluid leakage on seabed sediments and marine ecosystems

• Integrate experimental results with numerical modeling for comprehensive risk assessment

3. Reactive Flow Modeling of CO₂ Leakage

• Perform non-isothermal reactive transport simulations at the reservoir scale

• Understand the long-term behavior and migration of CO₂ in subsurface environments

• Assess chemical transformation and potential environmental consequences

🎓 Who Should Apply?

We are seeking motivated, interdisciplinary researchers ready to explore the intersection of geoscience, engineering, biology, and data modeling.

✅ Minimum Qualifications:

• M.Sc. degree in one of the following:

  • Environmental Sciences

  • Geosciences

  • Microbiology / Biochemistry

  • Petroleum, Chemical, Mechanical Engineering

• Strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration

• Proficient in English communication (oral and written)

✅ Preferred Skills (minimum two of the following required):

• Experience with both experimental and computational methods

• Knowledge of (bio)geochemistry, geomicrobiology, or reactive transport

• Familiarity with simulation tools like COMSOL, OpenFOAM, SLB software

• Programming in Python, Matlab, or C++

• Practical lab experience with microbial cultures or porous media experiments

💼 Job Responsibilities

PhD students will be expected to:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research under expert supervision

• Design and perform lab-based experiments and numerical simulations

• Collaborate across departments and with industry stakeholders

• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences

• Contribute to the development of innovative tools and frameworks for safer UHS/CCS systems

🧬 Why Join DTU Offshore?

🌍 International Research Community

Collaborate with some of the brightest minds from around the globe. DTU Offshore supports a rich research culture and promotes knowledge sharing across scientific and industrial boundaries.

🔬 State-of-the-Art Facilities

Leverage advanced labs and computing platforms to explore cutting-edge research problems in energy geosciences.

🤝 Industrial Collaboration

Engage with industry leaders and translate your research into real-world impact. These projects are co-developed with global companies actively engaged in energy transition.

💰 Fully Funded PhD

Each PhD position is fully funded for 3 years under the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

📝 Application Details

📅 Deadline: May 27, 2025 (23:59 Danish Time)

Late applications will not be considered.

📎 Required Documents:

1. Motivated cover letter

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Grade transcripts and degrees (BSc + MSc) in English

4. Names and contact details of 3 references

Apply online here: 👉 https://efzu.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2001/job/5163

All documents must be compiled into a single PDF file. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

✅ Enrolment & Approval

Successful applicants will be enrolled in a DTU PhD programme subject to academic approval. You must hold a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification.

More information: DTU PhD enrolment

🌐 Working at DTU

DTU – Technical University of Denmark – is among the top-ranked technical universities globally, renowned for excellence in research, education, and innovation. We host more than 13,500 students and 6,000 employees, making DTU a vibrant international hub of engineering and science.

We are committed to:

• Academic excellence

• Equality and diversity

• Technology that benefits people and society

• Supporting international researchers and families relocating to Denmark

More info for international applicants:
🌍 DTU – Moving to Denmark: https://www.dtu.dk/english/About/Job-and-career/Working-at-DTU

🙌 Join us at DTU Offshore to be part of a global movement to accelerate the green energy transition through research and innovation. These PhD opportunities offer not only academic growth, but also real-world relevance, with the chance to make a tangible impact on climate solutions and energy sustainability.

🗓 Deadline: May 27, 2025
✉️ Questions? Contact: hamid@dtu.dk