If you are building your career as a researcher in systems engineering, interface management, and complex product development — and you are looking for a PhD where your research addresses one of the most persistent sources of delay, rework and cost overrun in large engineering programmes — this opportunity is for you.
At DTU, you will investigate how interface management and systems engineering can help organisations coordinate design and manufacturing across company boundaries, where complexity cannot be designed away but must be actively managed. Using Danish naval shipbuilding as your empirical case, you will study how interfaces between structure, propulsion, fluid systems, electrical power, sensors, weapons and control software can be specified, verified and maintained across a distributed, multi-site, multi-company construction programme. Through close collaboration with industrial and organisational partners, you will build a research profile combining scientific rigor with hands-on engagement in one of Denmark's largest ongoing engineering programmes.
The PhD project is hosted within the Section of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, DTU.
You will investigate how interface management and systems engineering can reduce delays, integration problems and errors that arise when interfaces between subsystems are poorly understood, particularly in projects delivered across multiple companies and suppliers. The empirical part of the project will be developed and tested on naval ship programmes, using Denmark's current naval modernisation programme — delivered through distributed, multi-site construction — as a live and accessible case. The framework and methods you develop are intended to be generic and applicable beyond shipbuilding, to any multi-domain, multi-company development programme.
Responsibilities and qualificationsYour overall purpose will be to investigate how interface management and systems engineering can reduce delays, integration problems, and other errors that arise in the design phase of large manufacturing projects when interfaces between systems are poorly understood, particularly when working across multiple companies and suppliers rather than within a single organisation. Your research will give designers methods for understanding how subsystems interact as a combined system and for making designs robust to change across the system lifecycle, and give buyers a basis for specifying and governing interfaces across a distributed supplier base and evaluating competing designs on long-term adaptability.
Your primary tasks will be to:
- Conduct a literature study of interface management, systems engineering and modularity, and map current practice in Danish and international naval shipbuilding
- Develop and conceptualise an updated framework for interface management across organisations with multiple companies and suppliers
- Apply and validate the framework on naval ship case studies, in collaboration with industrial partners
- Investigate how interface management and systems engineering can support future-proofing and modularity of large-scale systems such as naval ships
- Disseminate research through scientific publications and conferences, and in collaboration with industrial and academic partners.
DTU Construct is looking for a motivated candidate with the following qualifications:
- M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture/Marine Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline
- Knowledge of systems engineering, interface management, product architecture, or modularization
- Interest in, or experience with, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Understanding of large-scale, multi-domain engineering projects (e.g. shipbuilding, offshore, aerospace, or other complex systems)
- Ability to work independently, manage research activities, and collaborate with industrial and organisational partners across companies
- Strong analytical skills and a structured approach to research
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
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 EnrolmentThe 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 DTU Construct's enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
AssessmentThe assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor and Head of section Niels Henrik Mortensen.
DTU Construct offers
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. DTU Construct offers a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. DTU Construct strives for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment termsThe appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures
The period of employment is 3 years. The position is a full-time position.
DTU Construct's preferred starting date is 1 October 2026 or by mutual agreement.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further informationYou can read more about Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at https://construct.dtu.dk/ and Section of Engineering Design and Manufacturing Systems https://construct.dtu.dk/sections/engineering-design-and-manufacturing-systems
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 DTU Construct's 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 procedureYour complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 September 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
- A copy of your BSc thesis (in pdf)
- A copy of your MSc thesis (in pdf)
- A copy of your scientific articles (if any) published so far (in pdf)
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.
