PhD Scholarship in Latent Thermal Energy Storage for Safe and Flexible Cooling Systems

Cooling systems are essential for modern society - from server rooms and data centers to food storage and thermal comfort - yet they are also large energy consumers. This PhD project aims to make cooling more reliable, and more energy-efficient by developing new ways to store and manage thermal energy. With demand flexibility, solar and wind energy can be used to an optimal extent.

The Technical University of Denmark, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (DTU Construct), invites applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD position in advanced thermal energy storage. 

About the Project

The research explores how phase change materials that can store “cold” energy when they change between solid and liquid states can help make cooling systems more flexible and reliable. A large-scale pilot installation at DTU Campus for server room cooling will serve as a pilot for testing, control, and optimization of such latent thermal energy storage. This installation will be taken into operation in March 2026. To optimize the controllability of cold storage using phase change materials, a novel charge determination method (measurement of energy stored) will be developed in the laboratory. You will work at the intersection of experimental testing, storage modelling, and energy system monitoring and control - contributing knowledge that can help data centers and other high-energy users reduce their environmental footprint. This PhD is embedded in the Clean-Energy Transition Partnership “La-Flex” with Norwegian, German and Danish companies and research institutions. A research stay at NTNU (Trondheim, Norway) is expected to be part of the project and a strategic research alliance.

Responsibilities and qualifications

As part of our research team, you will work closely with academic and industrial partners in Denmark and abroad. Your work will include: 

• Designing and carrying out laboratory experiments to improve how we measure and monitor the amount of energy stored in cold storage utilizing phase change materials. 
• Collecting and analyzing data from a full-scale (150 kWh capacity) pilot installation at DTU.
• Developing a computer model (“digital twin”) that link physical experiments with advanced control and operation strategies. The model will be utilized for techno-economic investigations regarding flexible cooling and power market integration within the project.
• Work as assistant teacher in relevant courses and supervise BSc and MSc student projects. 

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, for example Thermal Energy Engineering, Renewable Energy, Mechanical Engineering, or Material Science. Candidates with knowledge and skills in one or several of the following fields will be given priority consideration: 

• A solid understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics or energy systems – pre-knowledge of phase change materials/ Latent thermal energy storage is an advantage.
• Hands-on experience with experimental setups and measurement techniques/ sensors.
• Experience with system modelling and simulation (e.g., TRNSYS, Python, or similar tools).
• System and control engineering (e.g. digital twins, model predictive control) –pre-knowledge in techno-economic analysis is an advantage.
• Strong analytical skills and a systematic approach to problem-solving.
• Proficiency in scientific writing and English communication

Application procedure 

To apply, please read the full job advertisement by clicking the 'Apply' button

Read about DTU here: www.dtu.dk/english

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