PhD scholarship in Statistical and AI-Driven Modelling for Microstructural Engineering of Additive Manufacturing

If you want to pursue a research career at the intersection of additive manufacturing (AM), microstructural engineering and advanced statistical/machine-learning (ML) based modelling, then this PhD position (3 years) is for you. DTU, Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, the Section for Manufacturing Engineering invites applications for a PhD position (3 years) on the topic of statistical/AI-driven modelling for microstructural engineering of AM. 

The project is part of a Villum Investigator grant titled “Microstructural engineering of additive manufactured metals - MicroAM” funded by the VILLUM FONDEN. The overall aim of the project is to introduce microstructural engineering to the field of additive manufacturing (AM) of metals. This is to set the stage for optimizing metals microstructures in-situ during the AM process as well as ex-situ during post-AM treatments and enable predictions of the microstructural evolution, and thus changes in properties, while AM components are in use.

Responsibilities and qualifications

The PhD position will look towards establishing correlations and causal pathways for microstructure evolution during AM (as well as post-AM treatments), based on a combination of in-situ monitoring data, ex-situ characterization data and failure data from aggressive loading of AM samples. The activities will span across exploratory data analysis, mathematical model building with statistical/AI-tools, analysis for uncertainty quantification and subsequent design of experiments for further data collection.

The PhD project will involve multi-modal datasets (e.g. microstructure images, XCT scans, time-series from sensors during AM and/or vector/scalar datasets like XRD), with an initial focus on identification and deployment of techniques for proper data fusion/transformation. The project will also delve into generation and integration of synthetic data, via deployment of numerical simulations with existing advanced calibrated multiphysics models, with real data acquired through experimentation. The overarching goal is to create and demonstrate a set of tools that can be used for microstructural engineering of AM samples of the selected materials (SS316L, AlSi10Mg and possibly 17-4 PH).

To achieve the goals, you will work in close collaboration with a group of experienced scientists, as well as Postdocs and PhDs all engaged in the Villum Investigator project MicroAM. As a key integration sub-project, you will thus be expected to regularly align with colleagues involved in experimental investigations and spearhead the formulation of the experimental campaigns that can support the creation of better models for microstructural engineering. Further, a 3–6-month foreign stay at an international research group will be part of the PhD project, where advanced skills deemed necessary for the implementation of the PhD project can be acquired.

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.

Demonstrated competence in programming with Python and working on Linux based platform is essential for this position, as is a background in either Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Applied Physics and/or similar disciplines.

Application procedure 

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

Application deadline: 30 April 2026.

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