PhD Student in Process Metallurgy

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.9 billion. Today, we have 1,815 staff and 19,155 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.Do you want to contribute to the green transition in Norrbotten and work with sustainable steel production? Within the FINAST project, we are now looking for a doctoral student who will immerse themselves in the work "Functionality of biochar in electric arc furnace and its effect on the interaction between slag, metal and lining".

With us, you will have the chance to develop in the field of sustainable metallurgy and transition toward green steelmaking, work across disciplines and conduct research in close collaboration with industry.

You will belong to the subject process metallurgy where the research is mainly focused on topics like iron and steel metallurgy, base metal metallurgy, hydrometallurgy and recovery of minerals and metals from residual and end-of-life products. The division has a well-equipped laboratory for hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical studies and access to sophisticated equipment for materials characterization and software for thermodynamics.

Subject description
Process Metallurgy is concerned with the sustainable extraction of metals from primary and secondary raw materials using both pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes.

Project description
The project FINAST (Research and Innovation in Norrbotten for Advanced Green Steelmaking and Manufacturing) is an interdisciplinary research project financed by the Fund for Just Transition and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. FINAST contributes to the green transition and carbon-neutral steel industry through research efforts in collaboration between Luleå University of Technology, Swerim and SSAB. The research activities are focused on both the downstream process chain from steel production and the properties and performance of fossil-free steel, as well as fossil-free steel production with a focus on using hydrogen and bio-based raw materials.

As a PhD student in the FINAST project, you will work in an interdisciplinary research environment, in close collaboration with research institutes and industry, and contribute to the steel industry's transition towards carbon neutrality.

Duties
The work as a doctoral student in process metallurgy is experimental and may include different characterization and analysis methods, thermodynamic modelling, laboratory experiments, data compilation and evaluation, and presentation and discussion for the project group. As a doctoral student, you are trained in scientific work in the form of publication of scientific articles in journals and presentations at national and international conferences. You will also take compulsory and elective doctoral courses. In addition, you may have the opportunity to try your hand at teaching. As a researcher, you work as a neutral party in many contexts, which provides a great opportunity to learn how to run challenging development projects.

Qualifications
You are welcome to apply if you have a master's degree in MSc in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Process Engineering, Materials Engineering, or comparable or equivalent. You should have very good communication skills and be fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of metallurgical processes and experience in high-temperature experimental work and knowledge of reaction kinetics and thermodynamic modelling is desirable and it is also an advantage with some knowledge in mineral processing for this position. Since much of the work will be done in close collaboration with other researchers and industry partners, where consideration must be given to practical conditions, the ability to work collaboratively in larger groups is an important asset. In the evaluation, special emphasis is placed on:


• Knowledge relevant to the current project
• Quality of the master thesis
• Personal characteristics relevant to research

For further information on specific doctoral education, see study plans for doctoral education in the Faculty of Engineering.

Information
Employment as a doctoral student is limited to 4 years full-time, teaching, and other departmental duties may result in an extension corresponding to the time spent in these activities. The place of employment is Luleå. Intended access during autumn 2023.

For further information, you are welcome to contact Professor Lena Sundqvist Öqvist, (+46) 920-49 20 45, lena.sundqvist-oqvist@ltu.se  

Trade union representative:
SACO-S Kjell Johansson, 0920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, 0920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

Application
We prefer that you apply via the application button below, attaching a cover letter, CV/resume and copies of verified diplomas and thesis. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and diplomas should be written in Swedish or English.

Deadline for applications: 9 maj 2023
Reference number: 1755-2023