Postdoc in safe use of new biobased building and construction materials DTU Sustain

If you wish to use your research capacity as a 3-year postdoc to enable faster implementation of new biobased building and construction materials this is an option for you.

For new types of biobased building and construction materials there is inherently no empirical knowledge of their properties over long service lives based on experience. This is hindering adoption which requires documentation of their safe use throughout their service life and within a circular economy across multiple service lives in different buildings.

In this project an entirely new experimental and computational methodology is developed to assess safe use with respect to structural safety fire safety possible content of hazardous components and the provision of a healthy indoor environment throughout their entire service life. The methodology will include established methods for biobased materials likely after modifications and additional methods as needed and as systematization progresses. Accelerated tests and modeling of changes in characteristics in different environments are both highly important topics.

The successful candidates will be part of the DTU Sustain Section for Construction Materials and Durability. The postdoctoral research will be conducted in connection with the new large research projectCivil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE). As part of the section and the CEBE project the successful candidate will join a highly ambitious work environment that involves extensive national and international collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry partners.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your work will be to simultaneously develop experimental methods perform tests and build a model that will subsequently enable the prediction of changes in the characteristics of a variety of biobased building materials across different uses. The changes in characteristics shall be linked to possible changes in specific properties and thus serve as the basis for determining their possible uses and the connected boundary conditions.

We expect you to have:

• Good understanding of the European visions and strategies within the circular construction
• Specialization in biobased building and construction materials
• Strong expertise in experimental characterization and testing of building materials and further experience in the development of tests is highly welcome
• Modeling skills
• Excellent scientific communication skills and dissemination via scientific publications
• Ability to work effectively and actively in interdisciplinary research teams - collaborating with national and international partners
• Are available to start in August 2026

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

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 terms of employment
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 as soon as possible.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Lisbeth M. Ottosen

You can read more about DTU Sustain at

If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 26 May 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD in English)
• List of publications

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 Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering- is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies methods and solutions and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

DTU For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europes 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 Europes 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 13800 students 1600 PhD students and 6500 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.