Ph.D. Position in Valorization of Industrial Waste Streams

Publiceringsdatum: 2025-03-31

Luleå Tekniska Universitet är på jakt efter en skicklig doktorand och du kan vara rätt person för jobbet. Detta är ett jobb på heltid där Luleå Tekniska Universitet letar efter någon under 6 månader eller längre. Denna tjänst finns tillgänglig i Luleå som är tjänsteorten.

Om du tycker att det låter intressant att börja jobba hos Luleå Tekniska Universitet i rollen som doktorand så har de just nu en ledig tjänst som skulle kunna vara en perfekt match för dig! Här är chansen att bli en del av Luleå Tekniska Universitet och jobba som doktorand! Ansök senast onsdag den trettionde april 2025.

Jobbannons

for Sustainable Metal Recovery in a Circular Economy

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. 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 nearly SEK 2,1 billion per year. We currently have 1,900 employees and 18,700 students. In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

In Process Metallurgy, we deal with the efficient extraction of metals via sustainable means from primary and secondary resources using the pyro and/or hydro metallurgical means. Currently, we are looking for a Ph.D. student in Sustainable Metal Recovery—Hydrometallurgy & Circular Economy under the subject to perform the research works related to the valorization of industrial waste streams for preparing the battery grade precursor, alternative to graphite anode batteries, and determining the resource restoration through a combinational modelling of circular economy with life cycle inventory and techno-economic analysis.

As a Ph.D. student, you will have the possibility to be a part of a dynamic and international team and perform research in close contact with senior researchers.

Subject description

Process Metallurgy deals with the sustainable extraction of metals from primary and secondary raw materials using both pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes.

Project description

As a Ph.D. student you will use advanced hydrometallurgical techniques for the development of new processing routes for exploring the new battery chemistries with higher performance. More specifically, the research work will focus on the mapping of local resources of Northern Periphery and Arctic Region (NPA) available to be valorized in a circular economy to recover high pure anode element to be employed in rechargeable batteries that exhibits a larger specific capacity. Under the NPA region of the European Union (EU), the research approach will be aligned with the region's smart specialization strategy and addresses global megatrends impacting the northern regions.

Notably, the research conducted by you will aiming not only to resource mapping and their inventory preparation but establishing new processing/extraction routes with involved reaction mechanism to achieve high-purity product quality, and the assessment of life cycle value chain in a circular economy will also remain integrated with the thesis work. Based on the fundamental research outputs and insights, you will further extent the research to prediction models and different product development, which can be tested on pilot scale as well.   

This recruitment is connected to the Interreg-NPA project co-funded by the EU and Region Norrbotten (Sweden) for strengthening the innovation capacity for resilient and attractive NPA communities, with LTU being a key partner of the project.

Duties

As a Ph.D. student you are expected to perform the experimental, theoretical, and field work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. Project planning and independently developing the research topic are also an important part of your work. In addition, you can have the opportunity to participate in teaching and other activities, as required.

Qualifications

We are looking for one PhD candidate who are highly motivated for research in the direction of sustainable matrices in metallurgy and synthesis of new electrode materials via an integrated approach of pyro- and hydrometallurgy, material science, inorganic chemistry, and chemical engineering. You must have a Master’s degree in the related subject area of research. Having a prior understanding on battery chemistry and hydrometallurgy is preferable as per the nature of the project work. The exposure with the analytical instruments like ICP, XRD, SEM, XRF, TG-DTA, etc., and industrial exposure is of added advantage.

For further information about a specific subject see General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Further information

Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. You will be placed in Luleå. Start: upon agreement.

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Sadia Ilyas, (+46)920-49 3905, sadia.ilyas@ltu.se

Union representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer,(+46 )920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se

OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46)920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application

We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: April 30, 2025

Reference number: 1474-2025