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 almost SEK 2.1 billion per year. We are currently 1,900 employees and have 18,700 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 Science and Engineering at LTU is looking for young researchers who are interested in research in steel recycling and processing. 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 Subject description Materials engineering covers the composition, structure, properties and production of materials, mainly metallic and ceramic materials, and their application aspects. Project description Fossil-free iron production is expected to retain some impurities that are typically removed from the metal in today's blast furnaces. In addition, steel production based on secondary raw materials (such as scrap) is expected to become even more important in the future as industries and societies shift towards more circularity and resource efficiency. As a consequence, the processes that shape and process the steel will need to be able to handle higher levels of impurities and greater variation in composition. The aim of this project is to identify and develop methods to avoid quality degradation (downcycling) and minimize the dependency on primary iron sources, by optimizing machining processes. 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 may come, for example, from innovations in the sorting and characterization of scrap so that each steel grade can be recycled as a stand-alone material. Nevertheless, steel recycling is likely to have to deal with higher levels of impurities and greater variation in chemical composition for a long time to come. Today, the effects of impurities are largely countered only by dilution with iron from primary sources. The research in this project will explore the effect of both single trace elements and mixtures of different elements (cocktail effects) on different process steps. The aim is to optimize the processes to minimize negative effects of trace elements. The project is a collaboration between Luleå University of Technology (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 Work tasks As a post-doctoral researcher, 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 but you will also be expected to assist with supervision of PhD and Master students. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the teaching activities of the department at undergraduate level. The position involves scientific work in the form of publishing scientific articles in journals and presenting at national and international conferences. A post-doctoral fellow is expected to be able to take significant responsibility for planning and implementing their own project. Qualifications To be eligible for employment, a PhD or equivalent foreign degree in materials engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering physics or equivalent is required. Competence in materials engineering is emphasized. A degree obtained no more than three years before the closing date for applications for this post would be an advantage. If there are special reasons, those who have obtained a doctoral degree earlier may be considered, for example in the case of various types of statutory leave. When evaluating, we pay particular attention to: - Knowledge and experience in metallic materials - Communication and collaboration skills - Quality of the thesis - Quality and relevance of publications - Personal qualities relevant to research work We are looking for researchers who can work independently as well as in groups. 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 post-doctoral fellow is limited to 2 years. Place of employment is Luleå. Intended access in the fall of 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 Marika Vesterberg, 0920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@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: June 10, 2025 Reference number: 1748-2025