PhD candidate wanted - turning bio-oil into marine fuel by modelling of blends

About the opportunity At Sagava, we are working to decarbonise maritime shipping by converting biogenic waste streams into advanced, low-carbon marine fuels. Together with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Fraunhofer UMSICHT in Germany, we are building a doctoral research project and are now looking for the right candidate to lead it. The project setup; topic, partners and supervisors, has been approved; the final step is to nominate and enrol a qualified doctoral candidate. Once a candidate is confirmed and enrolled at DTU, the approval converts into a full Industrial PhD position with co-funding under the standard Industrial PhD scheme (details shared with shortlisted candidates during interviews). This is a rare chance to shape a highly technical PhD from the start, working at the interface of fundamental physical chemistry and real industrial deployment. The research topic Deploying renewable, bio-based liquids in marine fuels depends not only on producing them at scale, but on proving blendability: mixing a novel bio-oil with conventional marine fuels (e.g. VLSFO/ULSFO, HFO, MDO and FAME) without phase separation, haze, sediment or time-dependent degradation during storage and handling. Today this is largely done by physical trial-and-error. This PhD will change that. Using Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) combined with key bulk properties (e.g., water, acidity, viscosity, density), the candidate will develop a predictive framework and a validated "blendability envelope" - a set of transferable blending windows and clear pass/fail acceptance criteria for stable bio-oil/marine-fuel blends. The work spans experimental stability testing, advanced chemical characterisation, design of experiments, and interpretable predictive modelling (including a Python toolset extending classical Hansen theory). Results feed directly into peer-reviewed publications and into industrially usable blending specifications. Who we welcome We are keeping the door open and encourage applications from strong candidates across relevant backgrounds. You are likely a good fit if you have (or are close to completing) a Master's degree (kandidatgrad or equivalent) in a field relevant to the project, such as:

• Chemical and biochemical engineering, process/energy engineering
• Physical chemistry, applied thermodynamics, or materials chemistry
• Fuels, biofuels, or biorefinery-related disciplines

Particularly relevant strengths include Hansen Solubility Parameters and solubility/miscibility theory, physical chemistry of complex mixtures, fuel characterisation, design of experiments, and scientific programming (e.g. Python) - but we value genuine motivation and aptitude over a perfect checklist. We welcome candidates from Denmark and abroad. A strong academic record is important: the Industrial PhD programme has formal grade/eligibility requirements (and, for international degrees, evidence of standing within your cohort), which we will walk through together with promising applicants. Above all, we are looking for someone motivated by close industry-university collaboration and by seeing rigorous science translated into real-world impact. What we offer

• A 3-year doctoral project with a clear scientific core and direct industrial relevance
• Supervision and facilities across DTU, Sagava, and Fraunhofer UMSICHT
• Embedding in a well-funded, ambitious cleantech venture tackling maritime decarbonisation
• The opportunity to publish, build an international network, and contribute to protectable, commercially meaningful outcomes

Technicalities Bio-oil produced from advanced feedstock under Annex IX RED. Location: Copenhagen (Tergy Sagava ApS) & Kongens Lyngby (Technical University of Denmark) with a research stay to be defined Type: 3-year doctoral position (Industrial PhD track) Field: Chemical/biochemical engineering · physical chemistry · fuels Application deadline: 10th October 2026. How to apply & timeline Please attach a single PDF containing both your Motivation Letter and CV. Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered. Apply via LinkedIn before the 10th October and if you have any questions, direct them to Nil Puig Engel (nil@tergy-sagava.com).

• Interviews: Following the deadline, we will invite selected candidates to interviews. At that stage we will share full details of the position and of Innovation Fund Denmark's conditional approval, and what it means to take this on as a co-funded Industrial PhD position.
• Decision: We aim to select final candidate(s) no later than 20 October 2026, after which we confirm the nomination with Innovation Fund Denmark and DTU to finalise funding and enrolment.

We look forward to hearing from you. Questions are welcome at Nil Puig Engel (nil@tergy-sagava.com) Sagava is committed to an open, respectful and inclusive recruitment process. We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, religion or age.