PhD Position in Dynamic Modelling of Refrigeration/Heat Pump Systems using natural refrigerants

The Faculty of Engineering of the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a 3-year salaried PhD position within sustainable cooling and heating technologies. The candidate will be offered the exciting opportunity to develop next generation Refrigeration/Heat Pump Systems using natural refrigerants with the aid of advanced dynamic simulation models. All the activities will be carried out in close collaboration with relevant Danish industrial partners. The starting date is 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is 30 April 2024 at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Unique Opportunity
The research group working on Sustainable Cooling and Heating Technologies is a recently established investigation unit in the recently founded Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IME). The IME is building up a Mechanical Engineering Degree and laboratories to support the educational activities as well as its research and commercial activities. Therefore, the candidate will have the unique opportunity to influence the further development of both the new research group and IME.

Workplace Description
The IME covers innovation, research, and education spanning from fundamentals to applications of engineering science. All our courses are taught in English reflecting the fact that more than half our students and staff are internationals. The Cooling and Heating Research Group is located at SDU's beautiful campus in Sønderborg, in the inspiring building of Alsion, which is a centre for science, culture and learning in the heart of Sønderborg and perched on the strait of water separating the island of Als from the mainland. The university has very close relations to the industry in Sønderborg, Southern Denmark and Northern Germany, among others. A significant fraction of the projects in the centre are conducted in close cooperation with the industry, which count world leading companies in crucial fields, such as e-mobility and energy efficiency.

Job Description
The successful candidate will:

• Carry out the technical, dissemination and management activities related to the research work.
• Be involved in the daily supervision of Master and Bachelor students working on similar scientific topics.
• Be able to publish her/his work in scientific journals with high impact.
• Assist in teaching activities.
• Be engaged in funding applications.

Profile and Requirements
The successful candidate should have:

• B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering (alternatively in Energy or Electrical or Mechatronics or similar).
• A strong background in Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Control Engineering and Refrigeration/Heat Pump Systems.
• Experience with implementing dynamic simulation models of vapour-compression refrigeration/heat pumps systems by using Simscape and/or Dymola and/or OpenModelica and/or Simulink.
• Great capacities to work both in teams and independently.
• Strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written.

Contact and further information
For further information, please visit www.sdu.dk/ime and contact Associate Professor Lars Duggen, (Head of Centre for Industrial Mechanics, tel. +45 65501640, e-mail: [email protected]) or Associate Professor Paride Gullo (tel. +45 65507314, email: [email protected]) or Associate Professor Hossein Ramezani (tel. +45 65509217, email: [email protected]).

If you experience technical problems, you must contact [email protected].

Application procedure
Before applying the candidates are expected to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students, SDU information on How to apply, and Faculty information on How to apply – Academic staff.

The application must be in English and must include:

• A letter stating the interest, motivation, and qualifications for the research work (max. 2 pages).
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae, including personal contact information and any other relevant information, e.g. teaching experience, computational skills, etc.
• Verified copies of the official bachelor diploma and master's diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish).
• For applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: Please submit an official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• Complete list of publications (in case you have any publications).

You may also include references, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

Applications received after the deadline or outside the official recruitment portal will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Assessment and selection process
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee or an expert. Shortlisting may be used. Only shortlisted candidates will be assessed. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the faculty. Interviews and tests may be part of the selection process.

Conditions of employment
Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment.

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission. Employment and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period. A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

Employment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position and is governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information about salary and conditions of employment.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The application deadline is 30 April 2024 at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Formalities

• All files must be in English.
• Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
• The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

Placering: Sønderborg, Denmark