10 PhD positions available in HORIZON-MSCA-DN HELIOS Project

Updated: 10 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 03 Sep 2023

1 Jun 2023
Job Information
Organisation/Company

KU Leuven
Research Field

Engineering
Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering » Chemical engineering
Chemistry
Physics
Physics » Thermodynamics
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country

Belgium
Application Deadline

3 Sep 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Hours Per Week

40
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101120068
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The MSCA Doctoral Networks aim to train creative, entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient doctoral candidates, able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefit.

The MSCA Doctoral Networks will raise the attractiveness and excellence of doctoral training in Europe. They will equip researchers with the right combination of research-related and transferable competences and provide them with enhanced career perspectives in both the academic and non-academic sectors through international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility combined with an innovation-oriented mind-set.

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Recruited Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e. EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.


Requirements
Research Field
Engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field
Physics
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

DC1(Tu Delft, NL): Reduction And Degradation Of Pellets In A Hydrogen-Dominated Direct-Reduction Shaft Furnace

  • You hold a master’s degree in metallurgical or materials engineering.
  • You have sound knowledge in pyrometallurgical fundamentals including thermodynamics and reaction kinetics, and are acquainted with ironmaking technologies.
  • You have good skills in materials sampling and knowledge in characterization with various analytical methods (XRF, XRD, ICP, SEM/EDS, EPMA etc.).
  • You have laboratory experience in conducting high temperature experiments, and are familiar with using furnaces and reacting gases (in particular H2 ),
  • You have good communication skills in English, are proficient in report and paper writing, and can deliver good technical presentations.
  • You are independent but also a good team player, and are willing to cooperate closely with other researchers and the industry partner within the project.
  • You have a critical scientific attitude and have an awareness on sustainability.
  • You are enthusiastic and self-motivated, ready to participate in personal training, international exchanges and public awareness activities.

DC2(Tu Delft, NL): Carburization And Melting Behaviour Of Hydrogen-Based Direct Reduced Iron

  • You hold a master’s degree in metallurgical or materials engineering.
  • You have sound knowledge in pyrometallurgical fundamentals including thermodynamics and reaction kinetics, and are acquainted with ironmaking and steelmaking technologies.
  • You have good skills in materials sampling and knowledge in characterization with various analytical methods (XRF, XRD, ICP, SEM/EDS, EPMA etc.), and in particular identification and characterization of carbon in metals.
  • You have laboratory experience in conducting high temperature experiments, and are familiar with using furnaces and reacting gases (in particular CO and natural gas).
  • You have good communication skills in English, are proficient in report and paper writing, and can deliver good technical presentations.
  • You are independent but also a good team player, and are willing to cooperate closely with other researchers and the industry partner within the project.
  • You have a critical scientific attitude and have an awareness on sustainability.
  • You are enthusiastic and self-motivated, ready to participate in personal training, international exchanges and public awareness activities.

DC3 (University of OULU, FI): Future EAF Steelmaking With Different Iron-Bearing Raw Materials

  • Master’s degree in Process Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics.
  • The degree must be completed with good grades, latest by the start of the employment.
  • Good proficiency in the English language (both written and spoken)
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work as a part of a team and independently.

 

DC4(Tu Delft, NL): Future Converter Steelmaking Based On Hydrogen-Reduced DRI

  • You hold a master’s degree in metallurgical or materials engineering.
  • You have sound knowledge in pyrometallurgical fundamentals including thermodynamics and reaction kinetics as well as molten melts and slags, and are acquainted with steelmaking technologies.
  • You have good skills in materials sampling and knowledge in characterization with various analytical methods (XRF, XRD, ICP, SEM/EDS, EPMA etc.), and in particular for handling molten metal (steel) and slag.
  • You have laboratory experience in conducting high temperature experiments, and are familiar with using furnaces and reacting gases (involving molten metal and slag).
  • You have good communication skills in English, are proficient in report and paper writing, and can deliver good technical presentations.
  • You are independent but also a good team player, and are willing to cooperate closely with other researchers and the industry partner within the project.
  • You have a critical scientific attitude and have an awareness on sustainability.
  • You are enthusiastic and self-motivated, ready to participate in personal training, international exchanges and public awareness activities.

DC5 (K1-MET, AT): Hydrogen Plasma-Based Reduction Of Chromite/Chromium Oxide For Stainless Steel Production

  • You have a full academic qualification (diploma/master) in a scientific discipline within technical or natural sciences (metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or related fields).
  • You possess a strong background in physics or chemical engineering, with a particular emphasis on plasma physics or metallurgy.
  • You demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, enabling you to contribute to process understanding and identify innovative methods.
  • You exhibit strong dedication and motivation to contribute to the development of unique and relevant solutions for leading companies in the metal producing industries.
  • You possess social competences and an accessible personality, allowing you to effectively solve problems as part of a team.
  • You have decent presentation skills and autonomous time management capabilities, which are desired for the role.
  • You are capable of working both autonomously and as part of a team, collaborating effectively with researchers from different backgrounds.
  • You have a proficiency in the English language, which is obligatory for the position, and proficiency in the German language would be advantageous.
  • You have a willingness to stay updated with the latest advancements in the field and apply new knowledge to the project.

DC6 (KU Leuven, BE): Hydrogen Plasma As Green Alternative Reductant In The Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) Process For Stainless Steel

  • You hold a master’s degree in materials engineering, metallurgy or chemical engineering or master in chemistry or geology.
  • You have a strong scientific background and are committed to high quality research.
  • You want to use your skills and knowledge to develop new and greener ways to produce stainless steel.
  • You are excited about doing high temperature experiments, characterize samples, analyze data and interpret your findings.
  • You are ambitious, well organized and have excellent communication skills.
  • You speak and write fluent English and have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
  • You are an enthusiastic and motivated person, ready to participate in personal trainings, international travel and public awareness activities.

 

DC7 (KU Leuven, BE): Metal Recovery By Hydrogen Reduction Of Stainless-Steel Process Residues

  • You hold a master’s degree in materials engineering, metallurgy or chemical engineering or master in chemistry or geology.
  • You have a strong scientific background and are committed to high quality research.
  • You want to contribute to the circular economy and use your skills and knowledge to develop recycling processes for steel residues.
  • You are excited about doing high temperature experiments, characterize samples, analyze data and interpret your findings.
  • You are ambitious, well organized and have excellent communication skills.
  • You speak and write fluent English and have the ability to work effectively and collaboratively.
  • You are an enthusiastic and motivated person, ready to participate in personal trainings, international travel and public awareness activities.

DC8 (Heraeus, BE): Advanced Online Hydrogen Measurement Technologies Within The Hydrogen-Plasma Smelting Reduction Process

DC9 (University of OULU, FI): Advanced Characterisation Of Hydrogen Plasma And The Related Reduction Phenomena

  • Master’s degree in Process Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics.
  • The degree must be completed with good grades, latest by the start of the employment.
  • Good proficiency in the English language (both written and spoken)
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work as a part of a team and independently.

DC10(KU Leuven, BE): Sustainability And Economical Assessment Of Future Steelmaking Routes

  • You hold a master’s degree in materials, metallurgical, energy or mechanical engineering engineering science, or engineering technology) or in business engineering with a strong technological background, or you can show similar experience in a related field.
  • Specific expertise in one or more of the following areas is mandatory: LCA, criticality assessments, economic modeling, and environmental LCC.
  • You have a scientific, critical attitude and thrive in an interdisciplinary research environment.
  • You can demonstrate your interest in sustainability issues.
  • You have good communication and presentation skills, proficient in English.
  • You have an independent working style, and at the same time also a good team player.
  • You are enthusiastic and motivated, ready to participate in personal training, international exchanges, and public awareness activities.

Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e., EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin).


Eligibility criteria

Applicants need to fully respect the following eligibility and mobility criteria (to be demonstrated in the Europass CV):

  • Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
  • Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. For 'International European Research Organisations' (IERO), 'international organisations', or entities created under Union law, the researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment in the same appointing organisation. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.


Selection process

All applications proceed first through the online recruitment portal on the helios-dn.eu  website. Candidates apply electronically for one to maximum three positions and indicate their preference. Candidates provide all requested information including:

  • a detailed CV (Europass model  obligatory)
  • a motivation letter
  • transcripts of bachelor and master’s degree

Applications are made through an on-line, eligibility-proof form on the HELIOS recruitment webpage. The candidates apply for a maximum of three specific DN positions and list their order of preference. After interviewing (through videoconferencing means or in person, if possible) the candidates, the corresponding Supervisors provide the names of their preferred candidates to the project’s Supervisory Board. The final list of selected researchers will be discussed and approved by the Supervisory Board. Final ranking of applicants will be made by the Supervisory Board, who might conduct additional selection interviews with the most suitable candidates (through videoconferencing means or in person, if possible).

The final appointment of each selected researcher will be subject to approval by the two Doctoral Schools in which the candidate is supposed to be enrolled in doctoral programmes.

All details concerning the recruitment-procedure principles are communicated on the on-line application portal, so that potential DNs know exactly what to expect and are stimulated to apply. All recruitment is in line with the European Charter for Researchers, providing the overarching framework for the roles, responsibilities of both researchers and employers. The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers functions ensures that the selection procedures are transparent and fair.

The recruitment strategy of HELIOS fully complies with the Code of Conduct definition of merit. For example, merit is not just measured by a researcher’s grades, but on a range of evaluation criteria, such as teamwork, interdisciplinary knowledge, soft skills and awareness of the policy impact of science.

The Supervisory Board has members of each gender and considers the promotion of equal opportunities and gender balance as part of the recruitment strategy. Also, in view of the RRI principles, special efforts are made to attract women and DNs from new EU Member States.

HELIOS aims at a participation of 50% female DNs in the network. Researchers are employed on fixed-term contracts and are registered as staff candidates for PhD degrees. Therefore, they are entitled to pension contributions, paid holidays, and other benefits as governed by the universities and industrial companies.


Additional comments

More info about the HELIOS project as well as detailed candidate requirement can be found on the HELIOS project website https://helios-dn.eu


Website for additional job details

https://helios-dn.eu/

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
3
Company/Institute
KU Leuven
Country
Belgium
City
Leuven
Geofield


Number of offers available
3
Company/Institute
Tu Delft
Country
Netherlands
City
Delft
Geofield


Number of offers available
2
Company/Institute
University of OULU
Country
Finland
City
Oulu
Geofield


Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
K1-MET
Country
Austria
City
Linz
Geofield


Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Heraeus Electro-Nite
Country
Belgium
City
Houthalen-Helchteren
Geofield


Where to apply
Website

https://helios-dn.eu/

Contact
City

Leuven
Website

https://helios-dn.eu/
Street

Kasteelpark Arenberg 44
Postal Code

3001

STATUS: EXPIRED

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