PhD Scholarship in Cement-Free Living Building Materials

Pioneering sustainable construction by developing living building materials through biotechnology and 3D printing.

Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in microbiology, fungal cultivation, and biomaterials interested in sustainable construction.

Technical University of Denmark · Copenhagen, Denmark · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at Technical University of Denmark

living building materialsfungal-bacterial interactionsmicrobial biomineralization3D printingsustainable constructionbiomaterials

Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

17 days

Funding

Salaried

3 years

Start date

2027-02-01

Full-time

Location

Copenhagen

Denmark

Overview

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU Construct) is offering a 3-year PhD position focused on creating innovative living building materials for sustainable construction. The successful candidate will investigate fungal-bacterial interactions, formulate microbial biomineralization-based bio-composites, and integrate them into extrusion-based 3D printing systems. Working within an interdisciplinary team alongside DTU Bioengineering and TU Delft, the researcher will gain access to advanced microbiological and biomaterial characterization facilities. Applicants are expected to lead experimental work, collaborate internationally, and publish impactful research in leading peer-reviewed journals.

PhDliving materialsbiotechnologyadditive manufacturinghydrogelsmicrobiologyDTU

What you'll do

Design and execute interdisciplinary experiments exploring fungal-bacterial co-cultivation systems
Develop 3D-printable bio-inks tailored for sustainable construction applications
Generate, process, and critically analyze experimental data using advanced characterization techniques
Prepare high-quality manuscripts for publication in leading international journals and present findings at conferences
Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary researchers across microbiology, materials science, and additive manufacturing

Requirements

Degree required: Master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent in a relevant field

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; excellent communication skills to present and discuss scientific ideas clearly

Instruction: English

Required skills

Hands-on experience in fungal cultivation and microbiological techniques
Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive research activities forward
Strong scientific curiosity, motivation, and commitment to research excellence
Structured and responsible approach to research with strong attention to detail and reproducibility

Nice to have

Experience with microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technologyKnowledge of microbial interactions with their physical-chemical environmentExperience in biomaterials, polymer science, and hydrogel systemsHands-on experience with material fabrication techniques such as 3D printing

Eligibility

Must hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent academic level before starting

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

—

Duration

3 years

Programme

Horizon Europe - MSCA

EU-FUNDEDTechnical University of Denmark / Horizon Europe

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-11-01 (Europe/Copenhagen)

Applicants must submit a complete online application through the university's portal as a single PDF file in English. The application package must include a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, and grade transcripts along with BSc/MSc diplomas and grading scales.

Documents required