PhD scholarship in Digital Platform-based Micromanufacturing System - DTU Construct

If you are building your career as a scientist in digital manufacturing, industrial AI, and data-centric production systems—and you are looking for a PhD where your research will contribute to the next generation of intelligent micromanufacturing—this opportunity is for you. 

At DTU, you will contribute to the development of digital infrastructures that enable manufacturing systems to become connected, autonomous, and data driven. Working at the intersection of manufacturing engineering, artificial intelligence, and software platforms, you will develop technologies that integrate heterogeneous production data, support AI-driven decision-making, and advance intelligent manufacturing. Through close collaboration with leading industrial and academic partners, you will build a unique research profile combining scientific excellence with hands-on experience in developing scalable digital solutions for advanced manufacturing.

The PhD position is part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network MicroMan4Health – Data-Centric Micromanufacturing Platform Towards Added Value in the Health Sector (https://www.microman4health.eu/).

The doctoral project is hosted within the Section of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, DTU. You will develop an open digital platform for micromanufacturing built around a secure and scalable data lake integrating heterogeneous production data. The platform will enable plug-and-play AI microservices for predictive maintenance, process monitoring, and real-time analytics, validated on open-architecture metal powder bed fusion systems. By combining manufacturing engineering, industrial AI, and digital platform technologies, the project will contribute to the next generation of intelligent, data-centric manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall purpose will be to develop an open, digital platform for data-centric micromanufacturing that transforms heterogeneous production data into actionable manufacturing intelligence. The project will establish a secure and scalable data lake capable of integrating multimodal data from advanced micromanufacturing processes, enabling AI-driven services for predictive maintenance, process monitoring, and real-time decision support. By shifting from machine-parameter-driven fabrication to data-centric process intelligence, your research will contribute to the digital foundations of next-generation, interoperable micromanufacturing systems for healthcare applications.

Your primary tasks will be to develop a scalable manufacturing data lake for multimodal production data and design an open platform supporting plug-and-play AI microservices. You will develop AI methods for predictive maintenance and process monitoring, while integrating heterogeneous manufacturing data from multiple sources and technologies. Furthermore, you will validate the platform on open-architecture metal powder bed fusion systems and evaluate its scalability, interoperability, and real-time analytics capabilities. Finally, you will disseminate research findings through scientific publications and collaboration with industrial and academic partners.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with strong knowledge of digital manufacturing, Industry 4.0, cyber-physical production systems, or smart manufacturing. The ideal candidate has experience with programming and software development, such as Python or similar, as well as knowledge of data engineering, database technologies, or data integration for industrial applications. Knowledge of machine learning, data analytics, or AI methods for manufacturing applications is also required. Experience with manufacturing data acquisition, industrial sensors, or production monitoring will be considered an advantage, together with an understanding of manufacturing processes and quality assurance methodologies. Furthermore, the candidate should be able to work independently, manage research activities, and collaborate effectively in an international and multidisciplinary environment.

Special requirements:
In accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network regulations:

• Applicants must comply with the MSCA Mobility Rule. At the time of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment. 
• Applicants must be doctoral candidates (i.e., not already hold a doctoral degree) and be eligible under the MSCA Doctoral Network rules at the time of recruitment.
• Short stays such as holidays, compulsory national service, or time spent as part of a refugee procedure are not considered.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Software Engineering, 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 Senior Researcher Matteo Calaon, Associate Professor Guido Tosello, and Dr. Musa Mulla (CEO of Infinitibit, industrial partner in 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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures. 

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 March 2027 or according to mutual agreement. 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 Senior Researcher Matteo Calaon (https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/matteo-calaon/), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Section of Manufacturing Engineering 

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://construct.dtu.dk/ and Section of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems at https://construct.dtu.dk/sections/engineering-design-and-manufacturing-systems. 

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 30 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
• A copy of your BSc thesis (in pdf)
• A copy of your MSc thesis (in pdf)
• A copy of your scientific articles (if any) published so far (in pdf)

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 Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilises science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and the sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and technical services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, coastal and maritime engineering, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering systems design, design for sustainability, and thermal energy.

The Section of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems (EDM) advances the design of intelligent, resilient, and sustainable products and manufacturing systems. Research covered by the section integrates systems engineering, modular architectures, robust and bio-inspired design, portfolio and risk management, and AI-enabled engineering. By combining engineering knowledge, industrial data, and artificial intelligence, we develop next-generation engineering methods and digital platforms that accelerate innovation, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and enable intelligent decision-making across the product lifecycle.

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.