Save Share Apply
Category:
Education

Do you have a passion for engineering and a drive to make a real-world impact? Are you driven by the idea of optimizing industrial processes for environmental and economic efficiency? We are on the lookout for an innovative and enthusiastic PhD student for our project within cleaning-in-place (CIP) optimization. If you envision being part of the journey in developing innovative solutions in cleaning of production equipment, this project might be for you. Apply today!

The position

Cleaning-in-place (CIP) production equipment is commonly used by Novo Nordisk. Cleaning is a recipe-driven operation meaning that the same recipe will apply for all the surfaces regardless how dirty the surface is. This reality leads us to an opportunity where cleaning operations can be optimized in terms of time and resources enabling production to reduce the amount of water used and increase availability of production equipment.

NovoClean aims to develop a framework to optimize cleaning processes, reduce resource usage, and enhance equipment availability in production environments by reducing the cleaning time. We seek to understand underpinning phenomena occurring during cleaning to further develop mechanistic models for process improvement-optimization. We will further explore techniques, e.g. microscopy, and fluidic devices to understand dynamics of removal combining material science and engineering. We also seek to evaluate technologies that can lead us towards adaptive cleaning through effective monitoring and advanced models of the cleaning process.

Key responsibilities:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision.

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS.

• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad.

• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals.

• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project.

The primary position is located in Kalundborg while labs at Novo Nordisk in Bagsværd and at University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen will be accessible.

The position is a fixed-term industrial PhD role for the duration of the project – 3 years.

The main academic partner is the Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. KU offers creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. KU research facilities include access to state of the art pilot plants, ability to use a range of sensors and expertise in process modelling and design.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position has a master’s degree in chemical engineering, natural sciences, food engineering or a related field. Additionally, you will possess the following skills and experiences:

• Knowledge of experimental design.

• Familiarity with cleaning processes, optimization, and industrial scale-up/down pro-cesses would be a plus but not a requirement.

• Familiarity with data modelling and information management.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, research-focused environment.

On a personal level, you have a genuine enthusiasm for scientific research and development, you are a lively and dynamic team player, always full of energy and enthusiasm. You stay focused and detail-oriented, pushing the project forward with a positive, can-do attitude. You thrive as individual contributor while valuing teamwork and sharing knowledge, and believe the best solutions come from our combined efforts. Your open and honest approach, along with your passion, inspires those around you, making you a motivating force in the team.

About the department

You will be a part of the Novo Nordisk Insulin production, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (PS API) and assigned to Manufacturing 1 (M1), the world’s largest Insulin API manufacturing facility located in Kalundborg with fermentation, recovery, purification and utilities production under the same roof.

You will be employed in M1 Bioprocess Improvement-Optimization (M1 BIO), a group of 8 highly skilled colleagues plus MSc students all working with advanced mathematical model-ling for bioprocess improvement and optimization. We follow the multiscale modelling approach for problem solving and we have activities in Applied Mathematical Modelling, Mechanistic Modelling, Process Control Modelling, Capacity Modelling and Supply Chain Optimization Modelling. We enjoy a trustful, inclusive, and enthusiastic work environment, we are good at supporting each other, and we look forward to making you feel welcomed.

Working at Novo Nordisk

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, back-grounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Contact

For further information, please contact Area Specialist Emmanouil Papadakis (+45-30792689), Professor Serafim Bakalis (+45-93 56 56 81), Manager Marta Gonzalez (+45-30758711).

Deadline

23 June 2025

Interviews will be taking place on an ongoing basis, therefore we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Application Process:

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in an-other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

4. Publication list (if available)

5. Reference letters (if available)

To ensure an efficient and fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your CV. We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Apply