Luleå University of Technology is growing rapidly with world-leading expertise in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefits. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 2 billion per year. We are currently 1,500 employees and have 17,900 students. In the coming years, billions of kronor will be invested in Norrbotten and Västerbotten in major projects aimed at a more sustainable society nationally as well as globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these highly topical research projects and the social transformation that follows. We have a wide range of programs to match the skills that are in demand. We hope you will help us build the sustainable companies and societies of the future. The Division of Materials Engineering at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) is looking for PhD students interested in research in steel recycling and alloy design. The position belongs to the research subject Construction Materials and there are several research programs with broad research fields in metallic and ceramic materials (e.g. high strength steels, aerospace materials, refractory materials, intermetallic compounds, porous ceramic materials and materials for energy recovery). Read more here: https://www.ltu.se/forskning/forskningsamnen/materialteknik. Subject description Materials engineering covers the composition, structure, properties and production of materials, mainly metallic and ceramic materials, and their application aspects. Project description The first steps towards a fossil-free steel value chain have already been taken, and this research project supports the next logical step to reduce the environmental impact of steel production. This involves multi-cycle steel recycling and requires a holistic approach that includes the entire life cycle of steel products as well as the entire value chain. Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world. Unfortunately, today's recycling usually involves downcycling - that is, the recycled products are of significantly lower quality than the original products. The main objective of this project is to identify and develop methods to avoid downgrading. Steel scrap is not a homogeneous material but a very diverse group of materials with large differences in content and properties. In the short term, improved recycling can come, for example, from innovations in sorting and characterizing scrap so that each steel grade can be recycled as a stand-alone material. However, in the longer term, strategies should aim to reduce the diversity and complexity of steel alloys by reducing the number of alloying elements in steel. This would require completely new strategies for alloy design based on microstructure rather than alloying additions. The PhD studies in this project will support this long-term ambition and focus on the development of recycling processes that preserve the quality of steel even after several product life cycles The project is a collaboration between LTU and the Wallenberg Initiative in Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE), funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. WISE is the largest investment in materials science in Sweden ever and includes major investments at Sweden's leading universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more about WISE on the website https://wise-materials.org/. Work tasks As a PhD student, you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. A PhD position involves scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting at national and international conferences. A doctoral student also participates in compulsory and optional doctoral courses. Project planning and implementation is also an important part of the doctoral project. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching activities of the department. Qualifications Suitable background for the position is a Master's or Master of Science degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or equivalent. Expertise in materials engineering is emphasized. In the evaluation we put special emphasis on: - Knowledge and experience in metallic materials - Communication and collaboration skills - Quality of the master thesis/degree project - Personal qualities relevant to research work We are looking for candidates who can work independently as well as in a team. We value colleagues who drive their own projects and who like to engage with new issues as they arise. You must have very good communication skills and be fluent in English, both spoken and written. Additional knowledge of a Scandinavian language is an asset. We believe that a successful candidate will also have an interest in sustainability, circularity and the role of metals in modern society. A basic understanding of life cycle thinking is an advantage. The applicant should be able to provide two referees upon request. Information to be provided Employment as a doctoral student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other departmental duties may be added up to 20% of full time. Place of employment is Luleå. Expected to start in spring 2025. For further information, please contact Associate Professor Ida T. Kero, 0920-49 38 59, ida.kero@ltu.se. Trade union representative: SACO-S Diana Chroneer, 0920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se OFR-S Lars Frisk, 0920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se How to apply We prefer that you apply for the position via the application button below where you attach a cover letter, CV/resume and copies of verified diplomas. Please mark your application with the reference number below. Both the application and the diplomas must be written in Swedish or English. Deadline for applications: November 26, 2024 Reference number: 3927-2024 You apply for this job via www.ltu.se/ledigajobb our website by filling in an application form.