PhD Position in Structural and Probabilistic Modelling

SDU Civil and Architectural Engineering (CAE) invites applications for a PhD position in Structural Engineering, with a focus on advancing probabilistic modelling techniques for assessing and improving the performance of existing structures. The position is to be filled by February 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job Description
The successful candidate will be part of the research group SDU Structures. The PhD project will focus on probabilistic modelling of existing structures.

The successful candidate will carry out research related to the new research programme called Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE). SDU Structures is co-leading the programmes research on existing structures in collaboration with Aarhus University and Technical University of Denmark. As a part of the CEBE research programme the successful candidate will join a highly ambitious initiative involving extensive national and international collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners.

The successful candidate will be part of a vibrant and growing research environment with strong ties to industry, offering opportunities for applied research and innovation.

The research activities will be linked to the educational programmes in Civil Engineering, where the selected candidate will contribute to teaching and supervision in the areas of structural engineering.

Research focus areas of the research group
SDU Structures focuses on experimental and analytical research of concrete and timber structures. The experimental research is predominantly carried out in the SDU Structures laboratory which is equipped with state-of-the-art testing and data acquisition equipment for structural testing. Within the CEBE research programme, the group will be active within the following areas:

• Probabilistic assessment of structures and structural elements. Including focus on uncertainty modelling of structural models and load models.
• Derivation of optimal target reliability, incorporating environmental and sustainability considerations.
• Concrete plasticity and limit analysis for structural assessment and safety evaluation.
• Capacity and strengthening of existing structures.
• Residual load-bearing capacity of damaged existing structures.
• Design, optimization, and calculation of robotically printed concrete structures.
• Development of sustainable concrete solutions with emphasis on structural performance.
• Circular design and reuse of structural concrete elements.
• Behaviour and development of design methods for structural concrete.
• Design and strength of connections for concrete and timber structures.
• Aerodynamic stability and wind-induced response of long-span bridges.

Qualifications
The successful candidate is expected to have:

• Master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) in Probabilistic or Structural Engineering, or a related field.
• A strong educational background in structural and/or probabilistic modelling.

Contact information
Further information about the position is available from Head of Section, Associate Professor Henrik Brøner Jørgensen, tel. +45 65507520, email: [email protected].

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

Conditions of enrollment/employment
The position is open now, and the start date is as soon as possible, but negotiable. The preferred start date is February 1, 2026.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described herein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

Application
Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (copy of original/official 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).
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All non-Danish documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded in the box ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded in the box ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded in the box ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is December 18, 2025, 2025 at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

Assessment and selection process
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Location
Odense M, Denmark

Apply Before
2025-12-18T22:59:00+00:00