Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. 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 currently have 1,500 employees and 17,900 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.

The division of Materials Science at Luleå University of Technology invites motivated candidates interested in Engineering Materials research, to apply for a position to strengthen the research on steel recycling and alloy design. Within the research subject Engineering Materials, there are several research programs spanning broad areas of metallic and ceramic materials research (e.g. high strength steels, aerospace materials, refractories, porous ceramics and energy harvesting materials).

Read more at: https://www.ltu.se/en/research/research-subjects/engineering-materials.

Subject description
Engineering materials includes the field of material composition, structure, properties and production of materials – mainly metallic and ceramic – as well as application aspects.

Project description
The first steps towards a fossil-free steel value chain have already been taken and this research supports the next logical step. It concerns multiple loop steel recycling and requires a holistic approach for the whole life cycle of steel products and the entire value chain. Steel is one of the most recycled commodities in the world. However, most of what is today termed recycling constitutes downcycling – i.e., that the recycled products exhibit significantly poorer quality than the original products. The main goal of this project is to identify and develop methods to avoid downcycling.

Steel scrap is not a uniform material but a very diverse group of materials with widely different constituents and properties. In the short term, improved recycling may for example come from innovations with respect to sorting and characterization of scrap so that every steel class can be recycled as itself. In a longer perspective, however, the strategies should aim to reduce the diversity and complexity of steel alloys by decreasing the number of alloying elements in steel. This would require completely new approaches to alloy design based on microstructure rather than alloying additives. The doctoral studies in this project will support this long-term ambition and focus the development of recycling procedures which keep the steel quality intact even after multiple product life cycles.

This project is a collaboration between Lulea University of Technology and the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE), funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. WISE is the largest investment in materials science ever made in Sweden and includes major investments at the leading universities in Sweden. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more at: https://wise-materials.org/.

Duties
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 doctoral position involves scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting at international conferences. A doctoral student also takes compulsory and voluntary doctoral courses. Project planning and execution is also included as an important part of the doctoral project. In addition, you may take part in the teaching activities at the department.

Qualifications
Appropriate background for the position is a Master of Science degree with a focus on Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or equivalent. Emphasis is placed on the knowledge of materials technology. During evaluation, special emphasis is placed on:

• Knowledge and experience relevant to metallic materials
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Quality of Master thesis
• Personal characteristics relevant to research work

 We are looking for candidates, able to work independently as well as in a group. Furthermore, we appreciate colleagues who can manage their own time, propel their own projects and who likes to engage in new issues as they come up. You must have very good communication skills and be fluent in spoken and written English. Additional proficiency in a Scandinavian language is advantageous.

We believe that a successful candidate has an interest in sustainability, circularity and the roles metals play in modern society. Basic understanding of life cycle thinking is meritorious.

The applicant should on request be able to give two reference persons.

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. The place of employment is Luleå, Sweden. Intended entry in spring 2025.

For further information about the position, please contact associate professor Ida Kero, (+46) 920-49 38 59, ida.kero@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer,(+46 )920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: 10 December 2024
Reference number: 3927-2024