PhD Position in Power-to-X: Experimental and AI-Driven Optimization of Green Hydrogen and Synthetic Fuel Production

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), renowned for its pioneering research and innovative educational approaches, is home to the dynamic Centre for Industrial Mechanics. This center is an integral part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, situated in the vibrant city of Sønderborg. Together, they form a hub of technological advancement and interdisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to solving the complex challenges of today's rapidly evolving engineering landscape. In line with our commitment to excellence and our mission to contribute to sustainable solutions for the future, we are excited to announce an open call for one or more distinguished PhD student position in mechanical engineering, with a focus on Power-to-X technologies.

The selected candidate will embark on a research journey within a supportive and resource-rich environment, characterized by state-of-the-art facilities and a network of leading academics and industry professionals. We are looking for a passionate and driven individual who is ready to delve into innovative research projects, aiming to push the boundaries of mechanical and chemical engineering. The starting date for this position is flexible, with a preference for September 2025, allowing the successful applicant to integrate smoothly into our academic calendar and commence their research activities at an optimal time.

Unique opportunity

The Centre for Industrial Mechanics focuses on mechanics integrated with mechatronics. This presents a unique opportunity for you to be part of the centre’s inception and to influence its development directly. We are currently evolving our mechanical engineering degree program and constructing labs to support both educational activities and research.

Workplace description

The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at SDU is dedicated to a broad spectrum of research and education, from fundamental principles to engineering applications, with all courses conducted in English to accommodate the international composition of students and staff. The Centre for Industrial Mechanics, situated within the Alsion building on SDU's picturesque Sønderborg campus, acts as a hub for science, culture, and learning. The Centre benefits from SDU’s strong industry connections in Southern Denmark and Northern Germany, including collaborations with leading companies in sectors like e-mobility, automation, climate solutions, and energy efficiency.

Research at the Centre encompasses a diverse array of fields such as cyber-physical systems, mechanical structure integrity, renewable energy systems, artificial intelligence, and mechatronic prototyping, conducted by teams of scientists and support staff. The ideal PhD candidate will be expected to engage in high-quality research, contribute to international conferences, publish in reputable journals, and participate in selected teaching activities, demonstrating a strong ambition and commitment to advancing the field.

Project Summary

This PhD project is part of SDU’s strategic effort to advance PtX technologies through experimental validation and intelligent control. The research combines hands-on laboratory work with AI-based approaches to optimize the production of hydrogen and its conversion into ammonia and methanol. In particular, Reinforcement Learning (RL) and other AI tools will be applied to develop adaptive control strategies that respond to real-time electricity inputs and operational constraints.

Key Research Objectives:

1. Experimental Research on Electrolyzers: Design, operate, and analyze lab-scale Alkaline and PEM electrolyzers to assess performance, efficiency, and dynamic behavior under fluctuating input power.
2. Synthetic Fuel Synthesis: Investigate catalytic and process parameters for ammonia and methanol production using green hydrogen. Focus areas include reactor design, heat integration, and energy efficiency.
3. Electricity Market and Sector Coupling: Implement market-based operation strategies for PtX systems by incorporating electricity price signals, demand-response mechanisms, and time-of-use optimization.
4. AI-Driven Optimization using Reinforcement Learning: Apply RL algorithms to develop and train agents that optimize power allocation, start-up/shutdown sequences, and operational planning of PtX systems in response to dynamic market and process conditions.
5. System Integration and Digital Twin Development: Combine experimental results with AI models and system simulations to create a digital twin of the PtX process for predictive optimization and scenario analysis.

Funding

This PhD position is generously funded through the Villum Young Investigator program, under the project title "DDPTX: Deciphering the Dynamics of Power-to-X Systems." T