PhD position in Computational multiscale modelling of ‘Green Steels’

Introduction

Are you an engineer who wants to contribute to sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and materials recycling? We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic PhD candidate to work on a challenging micro-mechanical modelling project, in an exciting multidisciplinary team.

Job Description

The transition to low-carbon steelmaking will significantly alter production chains, starting from raw materials to high-end products made from these steels. One of the paths to reduce CO2 emissions in steelmaking is the use of scrap.  This will inevitably entail significant variations in the chemical composition of the steel produced, which may affect the performance of the steels during processing and service. This is particularly true for stainless steels undergoing phase transformations in view of the targeted mechanical properties.

These phase transformations occur during the metal forming processes in which they are shaped to a product. These need to be well controlled to safeguard the formability of the material during processing on the one hand and securing the resulting strength and hardness properties on the other hand. This makes this class of materials particularly vulnerable to the use of recycled material, with possibly uncontrolled or variable content. Accordingly, this research project aims to establish predictive insights between microstructures contaminated with tramp elements and the resulting engineering properties as required for product processing.

Vacancy for a modelling-oriented PhD student on the Constitutive behaviour of recycled metastable stainless steel.

This project will focus on a model-based approach, taking experimental input from the partners involved, to assess the influence of scrap-induced changes and contaminations on the performance of stainless steels that are subjected to phase transformations in the production chain. This approach will enable a qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of the influence of the presence of various elements (and second-phase particles) on stainless steel properties. This step is essential for the introduction of green steels in the market segment exploiting such steels.  

This work will consist of the following tasks:

• Extensive literature review on the multi-scale model for strain-induced phase transformation of stainless steels and the influence of tramp elements and contaminations on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of stainless steels.
• Develop a multi-scale framework for strain-induced martensitic phase transformations applicable to austenitic metastable steels.
• Incorporation of the phase transformation model in a representative volume element (RVE), incorporating crystal plasticity at the meso-scale level.
• Homogenization of the RVE response for exploitation at the macroscopic level
• Model extension to account for the presence of contaminations through either solid solution elements, precipitates or second-phase particles.
• Validation of the macroscopic thermo-mechanical properties.

Section Mechanics of Materials

You will work in the section of Mechanics of Materials (MoM) (www.tue.nl/mechmat) at the department of Mechanical Engineering of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). The MoM section is recognized worldwide for its high-level research on experimental analysis, theoretical understanding and predictive modelling of complex mechanical behavior in engineering materials at different length scales (e.g, plasticity, damage, fracture), which emerges from the physics and mechanics of the underlying multi-phase microstructure. An integrated numerical-experimental approach is generally adopted for this goal. A state-of-the-art computing infrastructure is in place for the numerical work in this project.

Job Requirements

• A talented, motivated, enthusiastic, curiosity-driven researcher. Deep analytical skills, initiative, creativity, and flexibility are highly desired.
• A MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Physics, or similar. A strong background in continuum mechanics and numerical methods is required.
• Additional experience in materials science, metallurgy, experimental mechanics, mechanical testing, micromechanics, or structure-property relationships is of benefit.
• Interest to work in an interdisciplinary project, with a strong scientific profile, but in close coordination with industrial partners such as Philips and Alleima.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 10% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact us: Prof. Marc Geers (m.g.d.geers@tue.nl), Dr. Ron Peerlings (r.h.j.peerlings@tue.nl).  

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.Gemini@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. 

Application documents (in PDF format) must contain:

• A Cover letter in which you briefly describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including:
  • a list of your publications
  • a brief description of your MSc thesis and BSc project.
  • contact information of three references
• The Official Grade Lists of your BSc., MSc. (and PhD) education, including all your courses.

We look forward to your application. Closing date is September 1st, 2025, but we will screen applications as we receive them. Promising candidates may expect an online interview, possibly followed by an invitation to visit us in Eindhoven.