PhD Position in Regional Energy, Carbon and Land Management for Climate-Neutral Transitions

SDU Life Cycle Engineering, part of Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a 3-year PhD position focusing on regional energy system, carbon management, CO2 logistics & infrastructure and land management. The preferred start date is June 1, 2026. 

Job Description

The position is part of SDU LCE’s strategic research agenda on holistic understanding from regional net-zero. The PhD project is part of the Regional Energy, Carbon and Land Management initiative, focusing on optimizing energy infrastructure, land use and carbon flows across sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, and industry. The study uses Funen (Fyn), Denmark, as a regional case to explore strategies that support national climate neutrality goal by 2045. Through a techno-economic systems approach, the project aims to map and assess current land use, biomass resources, carbon capture potentials, infrastructure limitations, and emerging technologies (e.g., Power-to-X, CCUS). The outcome will be a regional roadmap addressing existing bottlenecks and opportunities to guide energy suppliers, stakeholders, policymakers, and industry in designing sustainable energy, land and carbon management systems under real-world constraints. The candidate will be expected to contribute to ongoing EU and national projects and engage with stakeholders in academia, industry, and policy.

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

The successful candidate will be affiliated with SDU Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) at the University of Southern Denmark’s main campus in Odense. Odense is a fast-growing international city with an open Scandinavian culture and affordable living costs. SDU LCE is a rapidly expanding research center with a strong international profile in net-zero transition and sustainable energy systems. The center conducts cutting-edge research on integrated energy system design, extending beyond traditional energy systems to include CO2 management, land-use constraints, sustainable biomass utilization, sector coupling, and CCUS integration. SDU LCE is primarily externally funded and actively engaged in numerous strategic research projects supported by the EU, national innovation programs, private companies, and NGOs. Within SDU LCE, the research group focusing on net-zero transitions, renewable integration, defossilization of energy systems, CO2 infrastructure development, biomass availability, and sector coupling is experiencing significant growth. The group combines techno-economic modelling, system optimization, and infrastructure planning to address real-world decarbonization challenges at regional, national, and international levels.

For more information about SDU LCE, please visit www.sdu.dk/lifecycle. 

Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate with a master’s degree or equivalent in Energy Engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field, who is highly motivated to pursue a PhD in integrated energy, carbon and land management for climate-neutral transitions. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in system-level thinking, and a solid understanding of energy systems, biomass availability, carbon management, sector coupling, and techno-economic analysis. Experience with programming tools like Python and energy system modelling tools like PYPSA is considered an advantage. The successful candidate should possess a curious and interdisciplinary mindset and be fluent in both written and spoken English. Responsibilities of the successful PhD candidate are as follows:

• Conduct interdisciplinary research on regional energy, land and carbon management for climate neutrality,
• Analyze current and future policy frameworks at local, national, and EU levels, 
• Apply techno-economic modelling approaches, 
• Identify and evaluate the need for strengthening existing infrastructure (electricity, district heating, biomass conversion facilities, etc.)
• Collaborate with local stakeholders, 
• Complete required PhD courses (30 ECTS) and research stay abroad, 
• Publish in high-impact scientific journals and present at international conferences, 
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on the research conducted.

Further information 

For further information regarding the position, please contact Associate Professor Hossein Nami at tel.: +45 52 75 19 24 or email: hon@igt.sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

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

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Evidence of research experience and research ideas.
• List of publications and maximum 3-4 full-text examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (original and an 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). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official 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.
• Evidence of experience in teaching/student supervision may be included.
• 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 documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM/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.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

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 including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein 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. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.