Help revolutionize one of the world's most carbon?'intensive industries by developing cleaner, hydrogen?'based processes for ironmaking. As a PhD researcher at TU Delft, you'll contribute to breakthrough science within "Growth with Green Steel" - a national research consortium driving the Netherlands' transition to fossil?'free iron production.
Job description
Steel is one of the most critical engineering materials in modern society, significantly enhancing our quality of life through its versatile applications. However, its large?'scale primary production is associated with substantial anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, contributing approximately 30 % of global industrial CO₂ emissions and about 7 % of global energy consumption. As a result, the steel industry stands among the largest single contributors to global CO₂ emissions and faces an urgent decarbonization challenge.
A significant portion, ~75?'80 % of CO₂ emissions, in steel production arises during the reduction of iron ore (ironmaking) in blast furnaces using carbon?'based reductants such as coke and coal. To achieve meaningful emissions reductions, fossil?'free ironmaking processes are essential. Among emerging solutions, hydrogen?'based direct reduction (HyDR) has gained prominence as a leading green ironmaking route, offering the potential to eliminate direct CO₂ emissions during iron ore reduction. This PhD position is part of Growth with Green Steel, an exciting and collaborative research programme within the Dutch National Growth Fund.
As a PhD researcher you will:
- Investigate how gangue elements affect the reduction behaviour of iron ore pellets under various process conditions.
- Analyse local elemental partitioning and microstructural evolution of iron ore pellets, and correlate this to overall reduction kinetics.
- Study the carburisation behaviour of reduced pellets and its effect on melting performance.
- Apply a multiscale characterization strategy to link microscopic phenomena to macroscopic process outcomes.
- This fundamental research will contribute to optimizing the HyDR process and pellet design, thereby accelerating the decarbonisation of the steel industry.
Sustainable Metallurgy Laboratory
You will be part of the Sustainable Metallurgy Laboratory within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at TU Delft. The lab focuses on the understanding of microstructure formation and evolution in sustainable metal production, processing, and recycling by bridging chemical and physical metallurgy. We develop innovative approaches to produce metals and alloys, optimise material properties, reduce environmental impact, and enhance resource efficiency, driving the transition toward greener metallurgical processes.
You will work in a collaborative and international research environment, equipped with state?'of?'the?'art facilities in the MSE department for process metallurgy and microstructure characterisation. You will have the opportunity to develop strong experimental and analytical skills while contributing to the development of sustainable metal production and processing technologies. The lab values open interaction, knowledge sharing, and teamwork, fostering both individual growth and collective scientific excellence. You will also have the opportunities to contribute to the academic community through discussions, the co?'supervision of students, and guest lectures.
Job requirements
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic researcher with a strong interest in microstructure development and physical metallurgy. You are curious, creative, and approach scientific challenges with a critical and analytical mindset. With an open and collaborative attitude, you enjoy working in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
Moreover, you need to have:
- A M.Sc. Degree in the field of materials science, physics, or chemical engineering.
- A solid background in metal science and metal production.
- Knowledge in extractive metallurgy, solid?'gas reactions, thermodynamics and kinetics is desirable.
- Lab experience and skills in materials characterisation.
- A critical, curious, and creative approach to the research.
- The capacity to communicate effectively with peers and students.
- An open personality and good communication skills in written and spoken English.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world?'famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem?'solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep?'rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focuses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high?'tech lab facilities and international reach. It's a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME's outstanding, state?'of?'the?'art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well?'being.
to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.
The expected start date is March 2026.
Application procedure
- A one?'page motivation letter, outlining your interest and how it connects to this position.
- Your CV, highlighting scientific achievements.
- Academic transcripts, including educational courses and grades from your bachelor's and master's studies.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English?'taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
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