PhD Position Oxidation during Annealing in Green Steel Production

PhD Position Oxidation during Annealing in Green Steel Production

Surface Oxidation of advanced high strength steels during annealing in green steel production

Job description

Steel production is estimated to account for approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions. Achieving sustainable steel production requires a combination of green hydrogen usage, full recycling of scrap steel, and the electrification of processes. The adoption of new sustainable process technologies will necessitate changes in heat treatment methods, particularly in heating systems. These changes will primarily affect furnace atmospheres, which in turn influence surface reactions during steel processing.

Additionally, the increased use of recycled steel introduces trace elements—known as tramp elements—that alter steel composition. This has important implications for surface quality, surface-dependent mechanical properties, and product manufacturability.

This project aims at understanding the oxidation process occurring in annealing furnaces, where the cold-rolled or machined steel is heat-treated to optimise its mechanical properties. Transitioning from fossil-based to green furnace atmospheres will influence the oxidation kinetics and the morphology of the resulting oxide layers.

As oxidation begins, steel surfaces shift from being reflective metals to absorbing dielectrics. This transformation, along with changes in surface roughness, alters emissivity—affecting both heat transfer and the temperature profile during processing.

The research focuses on characterization of external oxidation under wet oxidation conditions for selected advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), including the effect of tramp elements. The insights gained on surface evolution due to oxidation will be incorporated into emissivity models to support precise temperature control during annealing.

Ultimately, the project aims to develop a predictive model for oxide growth and emissivity under sustainable annealing conditions.

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. 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 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 strong affinity for physical-chemical modelling of solid materials and outstanding experimental competence to validate.
• Have experience with microstructural and surface characterization.
• 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 excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a cross-organisational team, with industry stakeholders, academics and technicians.
• Be willing to participate in educational activities such as guest lectures.
• Have proven excellent proficiency in both written and spoken English.

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 focuses 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.

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 €2901 per month in the first year to €3707 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. A.J.Böttger email: A.J.Bottger@tudelft.nl.