PhD Position Impurity Effect on Austenite Recrystallization in Recycled Steel

The effect of impurities on the austenite recovery and recrystallization in recycled steel

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 are not traditionally considered suitable alloying elements in conventional steel grades based on current production and processing technologies.

To unlock the potential of these impurity elements and to transform them into beneficial alloying elements, it is imperative to understand their role in microstructure formation during thermo-mechanical processing of steel and in material properties. This project seeks to understand the microstructure formation in recycled steel, focusing on the role of impurity elements on the recovery and recrystallization of the high temperature austenite phase after deformation, from thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives. Additionally, this project aims to understand the interactions between impurity elements and crystal defects during microstructure processing. A multiscale microstructural characterization approach will be employed to achieve these objectives. This fundamental research will pave the way for developing novel green steel grades and sustainable processing technologies, enabling the upcycling of scrap into high-performance steel.

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, 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 and preparing communications for scientific and technical meetings with project partners.
• 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.

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 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.

Click here 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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr.ir. Erik Offerman. Email: s.e.offerman@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 23 March 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Your letter of motivation.
• Your Curriculum Vitae with publication list.
• The transcripts of your bachelor and master studies
• Contact information of two references.

You can address your application to Erik Offerman.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Mrs. Anita van Vianen, email: recruitment-me@tudelft.nl.

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.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5