Minimizing harmful effects of impurities in multiphase recycled steels
Job description
Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world, with the potential to be 100% recyclable. However, scrap contamination with impurity elements presents critical challenges, leading to downcycling. During steel production via scrap recycling, certain impurity elements inevitably enter and accumulate in the molten steel. These elements can have detrimental effects on the steel's properties and performance. Their impact is particularly critical in high-quality steels, which rely on precisely engineered multiphase microstructures containing strong phases such as bainite and martensite.
This project aims to investigate the influence of impurities on the formation and microstructure of bainite and martensite, with the goal of mitigating their negative effects.
Further, it seeks to explore innovative microstructure-control strategies that could not only manage impurities more effectively but also potentially optimize their presence, enabling higher impurity tolerances in high-quality steels.
We are looking for an ambitious PhD-researcher to join the exciting and collaborative research project part of the Dutch National Growth Fund program - Growth with Green Steel (https://groeienmetgroenstaal.nl/en/). As a PhD-researcher, you will work in a stimulating academic environment and collaborate with leading industrial partners. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the academic community through discussions, the co-supervision of students, and guest lectures.
With good performance in the first year, there is a possibility to extend the contract with three more years.
Job requirements
We seek an outstanding, motivated and enthusiastic researcher with experience in microstructure development in metals and physical metallurgy. Applicant must:
- Hold an MSc-degree in the field of materials science or related disciplines, with a solid background in metal science.
- Have experience with microstructural characterization and processing.
- Have a critical, curious, and creative approach to the research, with excellent problem-solving skills and communication skills.
- Have proven experience in writing scientific reports.
- Have the motivation to work in an international, multidisciplinary, and academic-industrial team.
- Be willing to participate in educational activities such as guest lectures.
- Have proven excellent written and spoken English skills.
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 focusses 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. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.
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.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
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