Call for open Doctoral Researcher position for process metallurgy research in I4WORLD program

I4WORLD - Imaging and Characterisation for a Sustainable World (2022-2027) is a new doctoral programme within a well-established doctoral training environment at the University of Oulu in Finland co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Co-funding of regional, national, and international programmes (COFUND).

The programme will train 25 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) with comprehensive understanding on environmental, economic and social sustainability. I4WORLD is based on taking the benefits of novel imaging and characterisation methods beyond the traditional borders between research fields to the sustainable world.

https://www.oulu.fi/en/research/graduate-school/i4world

I4WORLD has two process metallurgy related topics for doctoral researchers:

Development of sustainable steelmaking processes in hydrogen transition

The steel industry is in a transition phase as it moves towards environmentally friendly steelmaking. In order to achieve the ambitious goals, the role of electric energy in both melting and reduction processes is expected to grow in the near future. The doctoral researcher's research topic is the study of plasmas used in the steel industry, such as the electric arc furnace (EAF) process and the use of hydrogen plasma reactor, as well as their characterization and analysis with optical emission spectroscopy. The goal of the research is to find ways for real-time control of plasma-based applications and optimization of processes.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Sustainable Industries and Production

Location of the position: Process Metallurgy Research Unit (MET), Oulu, Finland

Supervisors: Prof. Timo Fabritius (MET), Dr. Henri Pauna (MET), Doc. Samuli Urpelainen (Nano and Molecular Systems) and Mikko Jokinen (Luxmet Oy)

Partner: Luxmet Oy (Finland)

Imaging-based monitoring of the wear of refractories and gas injection devices in primary metallurgy of steelmaking

The timing of maintenance actions for refractory materials and gas injection devices is crucial for avoiding equipment damage, optimizing maintenance intervals, and maintaining high process performance in primary steelmaking. Contemporary visual monitoring methods are ill-suited for the harsh process conditions present in the processes. This work aims to study the use of modern machine vision, imaging technologies and machine learning techniques for studying the effect of different process practices on the wear of refractory materials. the effect of gas injector designs and operating practices on their performance and lifetime. The work is focused on the unit processes in the production of stainless steels, especially the electric arc furnace (EAF), argon-oxygen-decarburization (AOD), and ferrochrome converter processes.

Related I4WORLD research theme: Sustainable Industries and Production

Location of the position: Process Metallurgy Research Unit (MET), Oulu, Finland

Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Ville-Valtteri Visuri (MET), Prof. Timo Fabritius (MET) and Dr. Hannu Suopajärvi (Sapotech Oy)

Partner: Sapotech Oy (Finland)

More information and how to apply positions:

https://www.oulu.fi/en/research/graduate-school/i4world/sustainable-industries-and-production

Last updated: 5.1.2023