PhD scholarship in Machine Learning Enabled Metasurfaces for Efficient Wave Interaction with Human Tissue

If you want to push the much-needed advancement of techniques for efficient interaction of electromagnetic waves with lossy materials, such as human tissue, and support the development of your scientific career within the growing field of antennas and metasurfaces for specifically health applications, the present project is the right for you. In a collaborative initiative by DTU Space and DTU Electro, we invite applications for a position as a PhD student in machine learning aided design of antennas and metasurfaces for efficient propagation and focusing of electromagnetic waves in a variety of lossy media. The project will give you an opportunity to work with theoretical, numerical and experimental aspects of machine learning assisted design of antennas and metasurfaces for near-field interaction and in vitro sensing of lossy materials including human tissue and realistic cell culture samples. As a part of the project, the Danish company HHC medical will provide benchmarking of different prototypes using biological assays (cell uptake) compared to their existing state-of-the-art antenna solutions, to connect the resulting electromagnetic performance with the biological outcome.

Responsibilities and qualifications

We seek a motivated, curious, and outgoing PhD candidate with a solid background in electromagnetics and antennas, and a very good knowledge of metasurfaces and preferably machine learning. Experience with experimental work and applications of machine learning within electromagnetics is a plus. 

The project goal, and thus your focus, is to design and experimentally characterize antenna- and metasurface-based solutions for both uniform as well as focused field distributions throughout dedicated and realistic examples of lossy media such as human tissue and fluid-cell cultures. To overcome the present-day challenges of the underlying field interaction with the lossy fluids and cells, machine learning will be used to optimize the resulting electromagnetic solutions. Throughout the project, a close collaboration between DTU Space (electromagnetics), DTU Electro (machine learning) and HHC Medical (real-world applications) is envisioned. 

We offer an opportunity to develop expertise in various areas, including but not limited to:

• Antennas and metasurfaces for specifically biomedical applications 
• Machine learning techniques for designing dedicated electromagnetic devices
• Development of electromagnetic measurement techniques
• Interaction with relevant industrial partners 

As a PhD candidate at DTU, you will take part in an educational program of 30 ECTS tailored to your needs on technical subjects, as well as on the "soft skills" needed for a successful career either in industry or academia. 

Your primary tasks include:

• Microwave measurements of dielectric properties of relevant lossy materials
• Development of simulation models for the electromagnetic wave interaction analysis   
• Machine learning design of antennas and metasurfaces for interaction with lossy materials  
• Research into practical methods for experimental validation of near-field interaction 
• Fabrication, measurement, and assessment of one or more prototypes 
• Dissemination of scientific results in highly reputed journals and conferences

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 Enrolment 

The 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 our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.   

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 

Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Samel Arslanagić,   and Professor Darko Zibar,  

You can read more about DTU Space at  about DTU Electro at 

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 our 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 procedure 

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 19 December :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

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.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.