Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Materials Engineering for 3D Bioprinting – DTU Health Tech, Denmark

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is inviting applications for a PhD scholarship in Materials Engineering for 3D Bioprinting at DTU Health Tech. The project focuses on biomaterials chemistry, additive manufacturing, and tissue-regeneration technologies.

This doctoral opportunity is suitable for candidates with backgrounds in biomedical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, pharmacy, or a related discipline. The research combines materials synthesis and characterization with the development of three-dimensional bioprinting approaches for biomedical applications.

Position Details

• Position: PhD Scholarship in Materials Engineering for 3D Bioprinting

• University: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

• Department: DTU Health Tech

• Research area: Biomaterials chemistry and 3D bioprinting

• Location: Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

• Research themes: Biomaterials, tissue engineering, additive manufacturing, drug delivery, cell-material interactions, regenerative medicine

• Contract: Full-time PhD scholarship

• Duration: Normally three years for a DTU PhD programme

• Funding: Fully funded PhD scholarship / salaried doctoral position

• Application deadline: 21 August 2026, according to the aggregated vacancy listing; verify the live DTU announcement before applying

Research Focus

Three-dimensional bioprinting aims to fabricate biological constructs with controlled geometries, compositions, and spatial distributions of cells or biomaterials. The technology can support tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, disease modelling, drug delivery, and the development of advanced in vitro platforms.

The PhD project is expected to address the design, processing, and evaluation of materials suitable for 3D bioprinting. Depending on the final project description, research may include:

• Development of printable biomaterial formulations.

• Design of hydrogels, polymer networks, bioinks, or composite materials.

• Control of rheology, cross-linking, mechanical properties, and degradation.

• Optimization of printing parameters and construct architecture.

• Characterization of chemical, physical, and mechanical properties.

• Evaluation of cell compatibility and biological performance.

• Integration of imaging and quantitative analysis for construct assessment.

• Development of materials for tissue regeneration or biomedical manufacturing.

Candidates may work at the intersection of polymer chemistry, materials engineering, biofabrication, cell biology, and biomedical engineering. The exact tissue target, bioink system, printing platform, and biological assays should be confirmed in the official DTU vacancy announcement.

Eligibility and Skills

Applicants should normally hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field. Suitable academic backgrounds may include:

• Biomedical engineering.

• Materials science and engineering.

• Chemical engineering.

• Chemistry or polymer chemistry.

• Biotechnology or bioengineering.

• Pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences.

• Mechanical engineering with experience in additive manufacturing.

• A related discipline with strong materials or biomedical training.

Useful preparation may include experience with:

• Biomaterial synthesis and characterization.

• Polymer chemistry and hydrogel formulation.

• Rheology and mechanical testing.

• 3D printing, extrusion-based printing, or microfabrication.

• Cell culture and in vitro biological assays.

• Microscopy and image analysis.

• Spectroscopy, thermal analysis, or surface characterization.

• MATLAB, Python, or other tools for quantitative analysis.

Applicants should also demonstrate strong experimental skills, scientific writing ability, and an interest in interdisciplinary research. Candidates with computational modelling, finite-element analysis, machine learning, or quantitative imaging experience may be able to contribute to modelling material behaviour and optimizing printing or tissue-regeneration outcomes.

Funding and Benefits

The opening is advertised as a fully funded PhD scholarship. DTU PhD students are normally appointed under Danish employment conditions, with a salary and associated benefits rather than being required to self-finance the full doctoral programme.

The exact salary, pension contribution, holiday entitlement, health and social benefits, and employment percentage should be confirmed in the official DTU vacancy announcement. The normal DTU PhD programme lasts three years and includes research, doctoral coursework, teaching or dissemination activities, and thesis preparation.

DTU’s PhD structure normally includes approximately 30 ECTS of coursework and other educational activities. The position may also involve teaching, supervision of student projects, conference participation, research collaboration, and dissemination of results.

Applicants should account for living expenses in the Greater Copenhagen area and confirm any relocation or residence requirements before accepting an offer.

Why Apply?

This PhD is attractive for candidates who want to work at the interface of materials engineering and biomedical technology. Potential outcomes of the research may contribute to:

• Regenerative medicine and tissue repair.

• Personalized implants and patient-specific constructs.

• Advanced in vitro disease models.

• Drug-delivery systems.

• Cell-laden biofabrication.

• Organ-on-chip and tissue-engineering platforms.

• Sustainable and scalable biomedical manufacturing.

The project may also be relevant to researchers interested in computational biomechanics, tissue mechanics, medical imaging, and data-driven modelling. Experience with hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, poroelasticity, finite-element analysis, or physics-informed machine learning could provide a useful foundation for studying the coupled mechanical and biological behaviour of printed constructs.

DTU Doctoral Environment

DTU offers PhD education across engineering, science, biotechnology, health technology, energy, materials, computing, and related disciplines. A DTU PhD normally combines:

• An independent research project.

• A study programme corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS.

• Teaching and communication activities.

• Research collaboration and dissemination.

• Possible study or research periods at another institution.

• A doctoral thesis and public defence.

At DTU Health Tech, candidates can work in an interdisciplinary environment linking engineering, health technology, materials, biotechnology, clinical research, and translational applications.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply through the official DTU vacancy portal and search for the exact title “PhD Scholarship in Materials Engineering for 3D Bioprinting – DTU Health Tech.”

The motivation letter should explain why the applicant is interested in biomaterials and 3D bioprinting, what technical expertise they bring, and how their previous work prepares them for interdisciplinary biomedical materials research.

Applicants should mention concrete experience rather than listing techniques. For example, describe a biomaterial formulation, mechanical-testing study, image-analysis pipeline, finite-element model, or experimental platform and explain the result or contribution.

Application Link

Apply through the official DTU vacancies page:

DTU Vacancies

General information about PhD education and applications is available here:

DTU – Get a PhD education

DTU – How to apply for a PhD

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