PhD Scholarship in Materials Engineering for 3D Bioprinting – DTU Health Tech

Are you passionate about biomaterials chemistry and tissue engineering?

The TMAT group at DTU Health Tech is offering a PhD position in the rapidly evolving field of 3D bioprinting.

3D bioprinting is emerging as a powerful technology for the fabrication of clinically relevant tissue constructs with precise control over composition, architecture, and function. In the future, bioprinted tissues and implants may enable personalized regenerative therapies, reconstruction of damaged tissues, and improved outcomes in surgical procedures.

A central challenge in realizing these clinical applications is the design of advanced biomaterials that can serve as bioinks, tissue scaffolds, and cell-supportive matrices. Developing such materials requires expertise in polymer chemistry, hydrogel design, crosslinking mechanisms, and structure–property relationships.

By tailoring chemical composition, mechanical performance, degradation behaviour, and biological functionality, biomaterials can be engineered to promote tissue regeneration and integration in vivo.

As a PhD student, you will contribute to the development of biomaterial platforms that bridge fundamental materials chemistry and clinical application. You will become part of an interdisciplinary team of chemists, materials scientists, engineers, and clinicians working together to advance bioprinting technologies toward real-world healthcare solutions.

We are looking for a creative and ambitious aspiring researcher with a M.Sc. within chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, or similar. Prior experience with biomaterials synthesis or modification as well as characterization (spectroscopy, rheology) is considered essential.

Your primary responsibilities will be within several of the following areas:

• Design, synthesis, formulation and characterization of new material (inks) for micro-extrusion 3D printing
• 3D bioprinting of implantable biohybrid tissues

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 you 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 the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Johan Ulrik Lind, and Assistant Professor Anne Z. Eriksen.

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 1 January 2027 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Additional information may be obtained from Associate Professor Johan Ulrik Lind, joli@dtu.dk, who leads the Tailored Materials and Tissues Group at DTU Health Tech.

You can read more about the Tailored Materials and Tissues Group here and about the department here.

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 21 August 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
• List of professional references

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 Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 175 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 80 persons.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.