PhD scholarship in Predicting Performance of Resistance Spot Welds through Multiscale Simulation - DTU Construct

If you are looking for a research opportunity and a PhD position, here is a possibility at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark. The PhD project combines advanced multiscale simulation with experimental methods to improve resistance spot welding. You will join a dynamic research environment where we value diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration.

This PhD project is focused on numerical simulation of resistance spot welding with existing electro-thermo-mechanical finite element modeling as a foundation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will be developed and coupled with the existing model to account for melt pool dynamics to include advection in the thermal modeling and to predict porosities and imperfection trajectories in the final weld. Microstructural simulation of grain sizes and morphology after solidification will be developed together with simulation of metallurgical phase transformations at microscale. Combining these models across length scales, it is expected that modelling of weld strength and corrosion resistance will be improved.

Responsibilities 
The PhD project will be heavily based on numerical modeling, and an ideal candidate will have experience with numerical modeling before starting the project. Experimental testing will also be part of the project, since all developed models must be validated by selected experiments. The project also involves collaboration with an abroad university and collaboration with Danish industry.

Your primary tasks in the PhD project will be to:

• Familiarize yourself with existing electro-thermo-mechanical finite element (FE) simulation of resistance spot welding, including comparison to physical welds.
• Development of a CFD model for simulation of melt pool dynamics and coupling it with the FE model.
• Develop microstructural simulation of solidification based on e.g. cellular automata or phase field simulation. Exploring possibilities and choosing the modeling technique is part of the project.
• Perform simulation of metallurgical phase transformations.
• Design and carry out experiments to validate the developed numerical simulations and/or to help suggesting improvements to the numerical framework.
• Suggest process windows for specific strength or corrosion resistance performance parameters based on the numerical modelling.

Furthermore, your tasks as an academic employee will include:

• Assistance in teaching.
• Supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.
• Dissemination of research results in scientific journals and conferences.

Qualifications:

• Good understanding of numerical modeling, preferably involving fluid mechanics and/or microstructure related simulations.
• Experience with numerical simulations based on the finite element method (FEM) or the finite volume method (FVM).
• Experience with experimental work is an advantage.

You will work in a research team combining manufacturing engineering, numerical modeling, and experimental methods.

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.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for thePhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Chris Valentin Nielsen, Associate Professor Mohamad Bayat, and Associate Professor Niels Skat Tiedje.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is expected to be 1 June 2026 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Chris Valentin Nielsen, cvni@dtu.dk, Associate Professor Mohamad Bayat, mbayat@dtu.dk, and Associate Professor Niels Skat Tiedje, nsti@dtu.dk. 

You can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at www.construct.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 March 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and cientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.