University of Southern Denmark, Denmark invites online Application for number of Fully Funded PhD Degree at various Departments. We are providing a list of Fully Funded PhD Programs available at University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
Eligible candidate may Apply as soon as possible.
(01) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Position in Quantum Mathematics
Potential thesis topics are part of a larger project on derived and higher categories, stability conditions, homological mirror symmetry, Donaldson-Thomas invariants, 3-fold singularities, wall-crossing structures, cluster structures, flat surfaces, and spectral networks. The goal of the project is to build new far-reaching connections between algebraic geometry, dynamical systems, and mathematical physics using a categorical framework.
Deadline : 15 May 2026
(02) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Position on Simulation-based Validation of High Payload Robot Operations
The Breeding Blanket Remote Handling (BBRH) facility at SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP) has a need for modelling tools capable for handling varying component changes, system modifications and operational trajectories. During testing the transporter will be handling two BB prototypes in variable configurations ranging up to 90 t of payload as well as other test loads, such as concrete slabs. These BBs and test loads will have different geometries, center of gravity, mass and DOF limitations, leading to changing load cases and dynamic behaviour. As future breeding blankets, test loads, trajectories and components evolve, an easily reconfigurable digital twin is needed to verify the performance of the system before physical testing in the BBRH facility.
The project will address this need by developing a modular model and digital twin supported by vibration analysis to validate the properties of the system in different configurations. A major challenge lies in establishing a generalized sub-structuring method, where sub-models and interfaces can be created and connected in an easy way, without requiring extensive system knowledge or programming skills. The goal will be to develop a simple and robust interface concepts to enable replacement of system components with minimal effort while still maintaining a high model fidelity.
Deadline : April 28, 2026
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(03) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Position in Engineering CAR T Cells for Intracellular Protein Delivery to Cancer Cells
This project aims to develop a novel platform in which engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells deliver functional recombinant proteins directly into tumor cells. The goal is to overcome tumor-intrinsic resistance mechanisms by deploying synthetic protein cargos and reprogram tumor cell death to increase immunogenicity.
The successful candidate will work at the interface of:
- Cellular immunotherapy (CAR T cells)
- Protein engineering/synthetic biology
- Live-cell and high-resolution imaging of immune synapse dynamics
- Functional validation in in vitro and in vivo cancer models
Deadline : June 1, 2026
(04) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: A funded PhD position at SDU Physics – Interdisciplinary research within experimental soft matter/biophysics
The PhD project fits within the scope of the project “Cells layers for artificial tissue morphogenesis and soft robots (CLAMS)”. We have recently discovered that cells behave like special types of elongated elastic rubbers. Layers of cells grown at high density on flat dishes can detach altogether and get complex shapes, depending on their initial orientation. By controlling the orientation, we can predict the final shape, in the same way that the folds in origami determine the final shape of paper. The aim of the project is to investigate the mechanisms behind the shape of cell layers in order to create controlled biomaterials where the initial orientation of cells controls the final shape.
Deadline : 12.05.2026
(05) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD positions in hadal biogeochemistry & microbial ecology
PhD positions in hadal biogeochemistry & microbial ecology
The Danish Center for Hadal Research (HADAL) at the Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, invites applicants for 5 Ph.D. positions in deep-sea biogeochemistry and microbial ecology. The positions are fully funded for 3 years by the Danish National Research Foundation and The Independent Research Fund Denmark. The respective Ph.D. projects are expected to be initiated during the period from July to October 2026. HADAL is a Center of Excellence that explores life and element cycling in the deepest oceanic realm. The Center was founded in 2020, engages about 35 students, technicians and scientists and has a large international network of collaborators. We seek committed candidates that can work focused and independently but that flourish in an international team having a strong, synergetic and multidisciplinary approach for solving important research challenges. The scientific approach is based on advanced theoretical and experimental studies, but international deep-sea expeditions are critical for our scientific advances. Candidates for the positions should be prepared for several weeks long international voyages. The specific profiles for the 5 available Ph.D. positions are outlined below:
PhD A – Importance of dark carbon fixation in the deep ocean. There is growing evidence that dark carbon fixation contributes to the sustenance of heterotrophic life at great depth. Using 14C and 13C incubation approaches the current project will quantify dark carbon fixation rates in deep ocean settings and explore how environmental parameters affect the process rates. These approaches are planned to be complemented by NanoSIMS and MAR-FISH to explore key players and processes responsible for dark carbon fixation. Furthermore, the project will include genomic approaches to characterize the microbial communities responsible for dark carbon fixation at hadal depth. The focus will be on pelagic communities, but aspects of benthic chemosynthesis could be included.
For further information please contact Ronnie N Glud or Beate Kraft.
PhD B – Plastic pollution in the deepest regions of the global ocean. Hadal trenches act as depocenters for novel entities such as persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and plastics. Despite increasing awareness of marine plastic pollution, the environmental fate and impact of micro- and nano-plastics in the deepest ocean remains largely unknown. This PhD project will investigate the distribution, sources, and characteristics of micro- and nano-plastics in hadal sediments. The work will combine deep-sea sediment sampling with advanced analytical approaches for particle detection and polymer identification including confocal and high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic analyses such as OPTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results will provide new insights into the transport, deposition, and long-term storage of plastics in the deepest parts of the global ocean. Relevant experience in (micro)spectroscopic analysis, image analysis, or environmental particle analysis will be an advantage.
For further information please contact Elvis Genbo Xu or Ronnie N Glud.
PhD C – Importance of virus for deep sea microbial performance. This project will focus on exploring the role of benthic viruses in elemental cycling at different spatial and temporal scales. There will be emphasis on the distribution and composition of free viral communities and prophages, and the importance of phage-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) for viral and host performance. Further, spatial and temporal successions in viral communities will be investigated in response to changes in environmental conditions and prokaryote community composition. The work will include collection and analysis of large metagenomic and genomic datasets, virus and host isolation, cultivation, and characterization, and molecular approaches to quantify gene distribution and expression (e.g. Real-Time PCR and transcriptomics). Candidates with a solid background in bioinformatics and experimental work with viruses are preferred. The viral ecology group in the HADAL center is based at Marine Biological Section (MBS) in Helsingør, and most of the work is expected to be carried out at MBS. *
For further information please contact Mathias Middelboe or Ronnie N Glud.
PhD D – Effect of hydrostatic pressure on microbial performance. Marine microbes on sinking particles experience rapidly increasing pressure during their descent, this is expected to influence fundamental cellular processes such as protein, nucleic acid and lipid synthesis. The PhD student will investigate how hydrostatic pressure affects microbial activity and cellular functioning. The project will quantify activity at the single-cell level, explore how pressure alters cellular functioning across specific microbial populations and assess phenotypic heterogeneity within populations. Experiments will combine high-pressure incubations of cultivated microbes and natural hadal communities with click-chemistry-based microscopy techniques. Prior experience with these relevant experimental approaches such as BONCAT are preferred.
For further information please contact Beate Kraft or Peter Stief.
PhD E – Linkage between activity and characteristics of membrane lipids of microbes. Degradation of organic carbon in deep sea sediments is critical for marine carbon cycling and climate regulation but difficult to quantify. This project will investigate the distribution of microbial membrane lipids across diverse deep-sea environments and explore how they can be used as proxies for benthic degradation activity. The work will combine lipid biomarker analyses with laboratory incubation experiments at controlled conditions. More specifically the experiments will systematically quantify how hydrostatic pressure, temperature, substrate- nutrient- and oxygen availability affect lipid characteristics. The insight will be used to assess global deep sea carbon turnover in the past and presently. Experience in lipid biomarker analysis, microbial cultivation, statistical modelling or machine learning is an advantage.
Deadline : 4 May 2026
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(06) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Position Modeling Release and Redistribution of Hydrophobic drugs from Lipid Nanocarriers
A Ph.D. position in computational pharmaceutical science is available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy (FKF) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The project is funded by the Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education (CPDSE).
The project aims to get a better understanding of the release and redistribution of hydrophobic drugs from lipid nanocarriers by using mathematical modelling and simulation. Partial differential equations will be applied to model drug distribution and partitioning in multiphase systems using the drug’s partition coefficient as a driving force. Computational chemistry will be used to create a library of model compounds differing in lipophilicity and to calculate their key physicochemical properties (e.g. melting point, solubility, size, chemical potential). Finally, an existing model to describe drug release by the collision mechanism will be refined by incorporating the physicochemical properties of the drug. The project will be supplemented with some experimental work as a proof of concept.
Deadline : 01.05.2026
(07) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Positions in Structural Engineering – Structural Concrete
PhD Position 1: Structural Capacity of Non-Code-Compliant Concrete Slabs
In this project, the PhD candidate will develop new experimental evidence and analytical modelling for the shear and punching shear capacity of reinforced concrete slabs that are not compliant with current design codes – for example, bridge slabs that lack code-compliant shear reinforcement detailing. The research will be based on plasticity theory and mechanism analysis, supported by the experimental data generated throughout the project.
For existing concrete bridges that are non-code-compliant, the calculated shear capacity of the bridge deck is often a governing factor for expanding the service lifetime of the bridge. Here, the bridge deck is subjected to concentrated loads from the wheels of the traffic loads. The failure mechanism and the response of concrete slabs (bridge decks) subjected to concentrated loads differs from that of beams and slabs subjected to strip loads. When subjected to concentrated loads, complex curved-shaped failure mechanisms can be observed leading to intermediate failure modes between shear and punching, depending on the distance from the concentrated load to the supports.
The project addresses a major challenge in extending the service life of existing bridges where shear capacity often becomes the limiting factor.
PhD Position 2: Structural Capacity of ASR‑Deteriorated Concrete Structures
In this project, the PhD candidate will develop new experimental evidence and analytical models to evaluate the capacity of reinforced concrete structures that are deteriorated by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), a harmful deterioration mechanism that can cause significant cracking of the concrete. In Denmark, more than 600 bridges have the potential to develop ASR and internationally the problem is similarly widespread. Many of the bridges are slab bridges without transverse (shear) reinforcement, a construction type which is of particular concern when considering the reinforcement bond, anchorage, and lap-splice performance.
Thereby, ASR may lead to reduced reinforcement activation and substantial decreases in concrete strength, including pronounced anisotropy in material properties. In this PhD project, the effect of ASR on structural capacity will be investigated through targeted experimental studies, where concrete elements are placed in a state‑of‑the‑art climate chamber, and through analytical modelling of the resulting capacity degradation.
Deadline : May 1, 2026
(08) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Position Physics-Based Modeling of Pharmaceutical Formulations
A PhD position in computational pharmaceutical science is available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy (FKF) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The project is funded by the Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education (CPDSE) and will be conducted under the supervision of Associate Professor Casper Steinmann.
The project concerns physics-based computational modeling of pharmaceutical formulations and molecular recognition processes relevant to drug delivery systems. The work focuses on molecular binding phenomena such as host–guest inclusion complexes and drug–excipient interactions that determine formulation stability and performance. The research will employ atomistic molecular modeling grounded in statistical mechanics to investigate binding thermodynamics and molecular interactions in formulation environments.
The position contributes to the development of pharmaceutical data science, integrating computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and quantitative analysis to strengthen data-driven approaches in pharmaceutical and chemical research. The project forms part of CPDSE’s broader effort to advance computational and data-scientific methodologies within pharmaceutical science.
Deadline : 15.05.2026
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(09) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: One or more PhD scholarships in applied economics and economic history: The Age of Creativity – Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life
The successful applicant will join the Historical Economics and Development Group (HEDG), one of Europe’s leading centers for quantitative research in economic history, including the economic history of the arts.
HEDG is recognized for its strong research profile, attracting substantial external funding and media attention, and publishing widely in top academic outlets. As part of an international department where the working language is English, HEDG provides a vibrant and collaborative research environment. The group and the department are currently expanding and recruiting several young researchers across multiple projects, offering an active and stimulating academic community.
The successful candidate will join the Carlsberg Foundation-funded project The Age of Creativity: Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life. The project examines how creativity evolves across the life course, with a particular focus on its persistence into older age. It investigates when creativity peaks, why it can endure, and which personal, social, and institutional factors allow it to flourish over long careers.
Using unique large-scale longitudinal data on artists and academic scholars, the project applies methods from applied econometrics and economic demography to analyze creative productivity, originality, and influence over time. This research addresses a fundamental scientific question and contributes to policy debates on innovation, aging, and lifelong productivity in modern societies.
The successful candidate will contribute to this predefined research agenda while also having the opportunity to develop their own independent research projects aligned with the overall theme of the project.
Deadline : April 27, 2026
(10) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Positions in Soft Robotics
This project explores the development of autonomous, snake-inspired robots capable of robust locomotion across complex and uncertain environments. Drawing inspiration from biological snakes, the research combines soft and flexible robotic structures with intelligent control to study how body deformation and surface interactions enable agile, adaptive movement. The project emphasizes the integration of novel mechanical designs, sensing at the robot–environment interface, and bioinspired control strategies to allow the robot to perceive and adapt to different terrains. By bridging soft robotics, physical intelligence, and learning-based control, the research aims to advance fundamental understanding of friction-driven, limbless locomotion while contributing to next-generation adaptive robotic systems.
Deadline : April 15, 2026
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(11) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD Positions in Bio-Inspired Flying Robot Design for Powerline Inspection
We are seeking highly motivated PhD candidates to join the Carlsberg Accomplish, FreeFly project, an ambitious research project focused on developing a birdlike flying robot for autonomous powerline inspection. Three distinct PhD positions are available:
PhD 1 – Energy Harvesting for Bio-Inspired Flying Robots
You will investigate, analyze, and design novel energy-harvesting techniques that enable soft aerial robots to power their flight using the strong magnetic fields surrounding high-voltage powerlines. Your work will contribute to creating self-sustaining robotic systems capable of infinite flight missions.
PhD 2 – AI-Driven Navigation and Control for Aerial Robots
You will design and develop advanced navigation, control, and decision-making systems for aerial robots using state-of-the-art AI-methods. This includes exploring spiking neural networks accelerated by FPGA/MPSoC platforms to meet real-time robotics requirements. Your research will advance the autonomous capabilities of our self-recharging inspection drones.
PhD 3 – Bio-Inspired Ornithopter Design
You will focus on the design and development of a lightweight ornithopter capable of mimicking bird behavior, particularly in following the curvature of powerlines. Your work will integrate biomechanics, aerodynamics, and robotics to create a highly maneuverable inspection platform.
Deadline : May 1,2026
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(12) PhD Degree – Fully Funded
PhD position summary/title: PhD scholarship in Physician Leadership and Health Care Reform
The Danish healthcare system is currently being reorganized and transformed by large-scale reforms and accompanying agreements that introduce new governance arrangements and stronger expectations of cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration. A key implication is that hospitals are expected to orient more strongly towards hospital-at-home and strengthened collaboration with primary care and municipal services to support more integrated and coherent patient pathways. These developments challenge leadership roles in hospitals and across the wider healthcare sector and for physician leadership.
The aim of this PhD project is to generate new knowledge about physician leadership – including how chief physicians, leading senior consultants, and other physicians with leadership roles understand, enact, and develop leadership – in the context of health care reform and its implementation across organisational boundaries. The project will contribute to both research and practice by producing insights that can inform physician leadership development, organisational design, and governance approaches that support coherent patient pathways, effective hospital–primary care collaboration, and shared responsibility for population health.
Deadline : 26 April 2026
About University of Southern Denmark, Denmark –Official Website
The University of Southern Denmark is a university in Denmark that has campuses located in Southern Denmark and on Zealand.
The university offers a number of joint programmes in co-operation with the University of Flensburg and the University of Kiel. Contacts with regional industries and the international scientific community are strong.
With its 29,674 enrolled students (as of 2016), the university is both the third-largest and, given its roots in Odense University, the third-oldest Danish university (fourth if one includes the Technical University of Denmark). Since the introduction of the ranking systems in 2012, the University of Southern Denmark has consistently been ranked as one of the top 50 young universities in the world by both the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of the Top 100 Universities Under 50 and the QS World University Rankings of the Top 50 Universities Under 50.
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