15 PhD positions on multi-scale refractory materials research, with a circular economy approach
A brief discription of each PhD can be found below

Click on the tabs for more detail about the research and locations for each of the open positions.

Please contact the local supervisory teams for more information.

For information on the application procedure, go to the recruitment procedure page.

All applications must be via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

PhD 01 - Digital product passport and data integration for circular refractory raw materials and industrial applications

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between ULIEGE (Belgium) and RHIM-Leoben (Austria)

PhD01 will define and implement a Digital Product Passport tailored to refractory raw materials, including both primary and recycled materials. The purpose is to make information such as composition, processing history, performance indicators and provenance machine-readable and interoperable with industrial plant systems and digital twin environments. The project will build a demonstrator populated with data from recycling hubs and automated sorting systems for brick and monolithic ladle linings. It will also identify data gaps and develop artificial intelligence-based strategies to estimate missing values, while keeping uncertainty transparent and auditable. The work will ensure compatibility with the semantic data platform developed in Work Package 1 and with the predictive tools developed in Work Package 3, so that environmental indicators from Life Cycle Assessment and operational key performance indicators can circulate across design, production, use and end-of-life stages.
The project will deliver a refractory-specific Digital Product Passport data model covering composition, processing history, performance indicators and provenance. It will also provide interoperability rules aligned with plant systems and digital twins, a demonstrator populated with real recycling and sorting data, integration guidelines, and a roadmap for deployment and standardisation. This will provide the project with a common digital traceability backbone for circular refractory value chains.
PhD01 interacts closely with PhD02, PhD03 and PhD04, as it provides the traceability backbone that connects environmental assessment, cloud-based data integration and automated quality control. It also receives materials-related information from the refractory development projects and operational performance information from the digital modelling and optimisation projects, helping create a common digital record across the full refractory life cycle.
Short stay (1 week) at Siemens to acquire an in-depth understanding of the database architecture developed in PhD03 and the data structures required to process the input data generated in PhD01.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgique (9 months)​
  • Period 2 – RHI MAGNESITA, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 3 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgique (9 months)​

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 and period 3 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgium (9 months months per period)
  • Period 2 – RHI MAGNESITA, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Computer Science or Big Data Engineering. Candidates should be excellent in their skills for developing an innovative DPP demonstrator including information coming from several fields along the value chain. Oral and written communication skills (English) are also required. Some experience in Python and/or C++ programming will be appreciated.
ULIEGE
Prof. Angélique LEONARD – 
Dr. Sylvie GROSLAMBERT – 

RHI MAGNESITA
Michael JOOS – 
Dr. Thomas DRNEK – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Leitner, A., Neuhold, S., Heid, S., Gavagnin, D., Meschik, P.M., Stastny, R., Zocratto, B. and Naves Moraes, M. (2024) ‘Enhancing refractory recycling: The role of automated sensor-based sorting systems’, RHI Magnesita Bulletin, pp. 41–46. Available at: https://www.rhimagnesita.com/the-bulletin-blog/enhancing-refractory-recycling/.
  • Psarommatis, F. and May, G. (2024) ‘Digital Product Passport: A pathway to circularity and sustainability in modern manufacturing’, Sustainability, 16(1), p. 396. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010396.
  • Demmler, D., Krupka, D. and Federrath, H. (2022) ‘Requirements for a Digital Product Passport to boost the circular economy’, INFORMATIK 2022, Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), pp. 1–10. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18420/inf2022_127.
  • Badioli, S., Dargaud, M. and Léonard, A. (2025) LCA of recycling processes of refractory materials, with ecodesign recommendations. Deliverable 1.3. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17150998
  • Carminati, L., Arioli, V., Sala, S., Pirola, F. and Pezzota, G. (2026) ‘Towards effective implementation of digital product passports: stakeholders involved and data requirements’, in Mizumaya, H., Morinaga, E., Nonaka, T., Kaihara, T., von Cieminski, G. and Romero, D. (eds.) Advances in Production Management Systems: Cyber-Physical-Human Production Systems: Human-AI Collaboration and Beyond. APMS 2025. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol. 766. Cham: Springer. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-03538-7_38

PhD 02 - Ecodesign and life cycle assessment of ladle refractory configurations for sustainable steelmaking operations.

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between ULIEGE (Belgium) and VESUVIUS (Ghlin, Belgium)

PhD02 will develop Life Cycle Assessment methodologies specifically adapted to refractory circularity and to the real operating conditions of steel ladles. The project will generate robust environmental profiles for brick, monolithic and hybrid lining configurations by collecting primary industrial data on manufacturing, operation and end-of-life. It will model several recycling and reuse routes in order to avoid downcycling and will combine environmental assessment with raw-material criticality analysis to reveal trade-offs between environmental performance and supply risk. The resulting indicators will be prepared for integration into the Digital Product Passport and the Decision Support System, so that environmental performance can directly inform material selection, design choices, scheduling and end-of-life decisions.
The project will deliver full environmental profiles for reference ladle lining solutions, criticality and supply-risk analyses for key raw materials, and ecodesign recommendations for reducing environmental hotspots. It will also provide guidance for end-users and regulators, as well as harmonised data models that support digital traceability and future regulatory compliance. ​
PhD02 works in close connection with PhD01 and PhD04, using Digital Product Passport data and quality-control information to build robust environmental assessments. It also interacts with the materials development projects and the operational modelling projects, since their results help quantify use-phase impacts, compare design options and evaluate end-of-life scenarios from an environmental perspective.
  • Short stay (1 week) at RHIM/MIRECO to visit a refractory recycling plant and understand recycling operations, feedstock characteristics and sampling procedures.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Laser Analytical Systems & Automation to gain knowledge of automated refractory sorting systems and how they can support circular recycling routes.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Elkem to establish additional case studies, such as the impact of improved sorting quality on the use of secondary raw materials, through optimisation trials.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgique (9 months)​
  • Period 2 – VESUVIUS, Ghlin, Belgium (18 months)
  • Period 3 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgique (9 months)​

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 and period 3 – ULIEGE, Liège, Belgique (9 months per period)​
  • Period 2 – VESUVIUS, Ghlin, Belgium (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Chemical or Environmental Science Engineering. Candidates should be excellent in their skills for developing LCA studies in the above mentioned topic. Oral and written communication skills (English) are also required. Some experiences in using Simapro, OpenLCA or Brightway will be appreciated.
ULIEGE, Liège, Belgium
Prof. Angélique LEONARD,  Dr. Sylvie GROSLAMBERT, 

VESUVIUS, Ghlin, Belgium
Severine ROMERO BAIVIER, 
Jean-Charles LOUIN, 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Badioli, S., Jubayed, Md., Dargaud, M., Siebring, R. and Léonard, A. (2025) ‘Environmental performance of refractories: A state-of-the-art review on current methodological practices and future directions’, Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 27, 100868. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100868.
  • Boenzi, F. (2022) ‘Possible ecological advantages from use of carbonless magnesia refractory bricks in secondary steelmaking: A framework LCA perspective’, International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19, pp. 5877–5896. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03553-2.
  • Ferreira, G., López-Sabirón, A.M., Aranda, J., Mainar-Toledo, M.D. and Aranda-Usón, A. (2015) ‘Environmental analysis for identifying challenges to recover used reinforced refractories in industrial furnaces’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 88, pp. 242–253. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.087.
  • Badioli, S., Léonard, A. and Dargaud, M. (2025) LCA of recycling processes of refractory materials, with eco-design recommendations. Deliverable D1.3, CESAREF MSCA DN ID. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17150999.
  • Muñoz, I., Soto, A., Maza, D. and Bayón, F. (2020) ‘Life cycle assessment of refractory waste management in a Spanish steel works’, Waste Management, 111, pp. 1–9. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.05.023

PhD 03 - Semantic data integration and cloud-based industrial platforms for circular refractory life cycle applications

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between Chair of Cyber Physical Systems (Leoben, Austria) and Siemens R&D (Graz, Austria)

PhD03 will design a semantic, cloud-based platform that harmonises heterogeneous data sources, including automated sorting and quality-control data, Digital Product Passport records, Life Cycle Assessment results, plant telemetry and digital twin outputs. The platform will provide secure, role-based access to interoperable data, dashboards and application programming interfaces for plant operators, sustainability teams and research and development staff. The project will also develop real-time sensor fusion, online visualisation and predictive tools based on advanced machine learning methods, and it will include life-cycle simulation tools for the creation of synthetic datasets. In parallel, it will build a database of secondary raw materials with information on composition, performance, environmental attributes and provenance, together with a prototype matchmaking tool for cross-industry circular exchanges.
The project will deliver a cloud platform that integrates the main data streams generated across the refractory life cycle, a curated database of by-products and secondary raw materials, and validated predictive and visualisation tools. It will also provide governance and deployment guidelines to support industrial uptake and long-term use.
PhD03 is strongly connected to PhD01, PhD02 and PhD04, as it integrates Digital Product Passport information, environmental indicators and automated sorting data into a common cloud-based platform. It also links with the materials and operations projects by making their data interoperable and accessible through dashboards, interfaces and predictive digital tools.
  • Short stay (1 week) at RHI Magnesita to visit a recycling plant and understand recycling operations, feedstock characteristics, sampling procedures and data availability.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Tata Steel to evaluate on site the requirements for integrating the digital twin environment into the project database.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – TUL, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – SIEMENS, Graz, Austria (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – TUL, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – SIEMENS, Graz, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Computer Science, Physics, Mechanics, Robotics, or a related field. Oral and written communication skills (English) are a prerequisite. Strong programming skills. AI background and interest.
Technical University of Leoben (TUL – CPS)
Prof. Dr. Elmar RUECKERT – 
Dr. Christian RAUCH – 

SIEMENS
Dr. Barbara MAYER – Dr. Daniel SCHALL –

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Leitner, A., Neuhold, S., Heid, S., Gavagnin, S., Meschik, P., Stastny, R., Zocratto, B. and Naves Moraes, M. (2024) ‘Enhancing refractory recycling: The role of automated sensor-based sorting systems’, RHI Magnesita Bulletin, pp. 41–46. Available at: https://www.rhimagnesita.com/the-bulletin-blog/enhancing-refractory-recycling/.
  • Hoosain, M.S., Paul, B.S., Kass, S. and Ramakrishna, S. (2023) ‘Tools towards the sustainability and circularity of data centers’, Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(1), pp. 173–197. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00191-9.
  • Neubauer, M., Özdenizci, O., Piater, J. and Rueckert, E. (2025) ‘Sparsifying instance segmentation models for efficient vision-based industrial recycling’, in Machine Learning and Knowledge Discovery in Databases. Applied Data Science Track and Demo Track. ECML PKDD 2025. Cham: Springer, pp. 21–37. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06129-4_2.
  • Rueckert, E., Nakatenus, M., Tosatto, S. and Peters, J. (2017) ‘Learning inverse dynamics models in O(n) time with LSTM networks’, in 2017 IEEE-RAS 17th International Conference on Humanoid Robotics (Humanoids). IEEE, pp. 811–816. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/HUMANOIDS.2017.8246965.
  • Dave, V., Özdenizci, O. and Rueckert, E. (2025) ‘Learning robust representations for visual reinforcement learning via task-relevant mask sampling’, Transactions on Machine Learning Research, 2025-September, article 4857. Available at: https://openreview.net/forum?id=2rxNDxHwtn.

PhD 04 - Automation and digitalisation for quality control and classification of spent refractory fine fractions

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between University of South-Eastern Norway and RHIM-Leoben (Austria) 

PhD04 will develop artificial-intelligence-driven quality-control and sorting methods for fine fractions of spent refractories, a material stream that is currently underused because of its strong heterogeneity. The project will combine Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Hyperspectral Imaging, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to classify particles and predict chemical composition, impurity risk and suitability for reuse. It will address sampling representativeness, heterogeneity and calibration transfer so that laboratory findings can be transferred to industrial inline sensors. The project will also quantify uncertainty and implement real-time process-control logic for routing materials into certified secondary raw-material lots. Finally, it will write batch-level quality and risk metadata into the Digital Product Passport so that downstream users can trust recycled inputs.
The project will deliver multi-sensor classification models, robust sampling and quality-assurance methods, and a demonstrator linking industrial feedstocks to certified secondary raw-material lots. These outputs will make fine refractory fractions traceable, measurable and reusable at industrial scale.
PhD04 interacts directly with PhD01, PhD02 and PhD03, since the quality and risk information it generates for recycled fine fractions feeds the Digital Product Passport, environmental assessment and cloud platform activities. It also supports the materials development projects by helping define impurity limits and recycled-material quality requirements for new refractory formulations.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Siemens, Austria to understand the database architecture developed in PhD03 and the data structures required to process the input data generated in PhD04.
  • Secondment period (6 months) at Laser Analytical Systems & Automation, Germany to evaluate and implement advanced artificial-intelligence-based methods for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy spectra cleaning, region-of-interest selection, classification and sorting decisions.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Elkem, Norway to understand the requirements for the effective use of secondary raw materials in the refractory recipes studied in PhD06 and to adjust automated sorting techniques accordingly.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – RHI MAGNESITA, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – USN, Porsgrunn, Norway (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – RHI MAGNESITA, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – USN, Porsgrunn, Norway (18 months)
Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field. A background in materials science, particularly in powders and particulate materials, is highly desirable, with strong skills in laboratory characterisation techniques. Additional experience or strong interest in data analysis, signal processing, or machine learning applied to material systems or sensor data is advantageous. Familiarity with spectroscopic methods (e.g. LIBS, Raman, FTIR) or imaging techniques is a plus. Candidates should be comfortable working at the interface of experimental materials science, sensor technologies, and data-driven methods, with an interest in translating laboratory approaches to industrial process environments. Strong oral and written communication skills in English are required.
USN
Prof. Chandana RATNAYAKE –

RHI MAGNESITA
Dr. Simone SEDLAZECK –

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

PhD 05 - Development and optimisation of MgO-C and MgO castables with high recyclate content for sustainable steel ladles

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between Technical University of Leoben and ELKEM-Kristiansand (Norway)

PhD05 will investigate how the amount and particle-size distribution of recycled magnesium oxide-carbon and magnesium oxide materials influence corrosion, fracture and creep in no-cement ladle castables at service temperature. The project will define acceptable impurity levels and particle-size ranges, establish microstructure-property relationships and optimise binder-matrix-additive combinations to compensate for possible degradation associated with recycled inputs. Thermochemical and thermomechanical simulations will also be used to support material screening and recipe optimisation.
The project will produce optimised castable formulations with high recycled content, fracture and creep datasets suitable for simulation work, validated thermochemical models for relevant refractory and slag systems, and design recommendations that balance cost, wear, energy use and emissions.
PhD05 is closely linked to PhD06, PhD13 and PhD14. It complements the binder-development work by focusing on high-recycled-content castables, and it provides fracture, creep and corrosion data that are essential for wear modelling, finite element simulations and digital twin development. It also supports the sustainability and traceability projects by helping define acceptable quality windows for recycled raw materials.
  • Secondment period (2 months) at Vesuvius to perform thermochemical simulations and corrosion tests on newly developed refractory materials containing recycled inputs.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – ELKEM, Kristiansand, Norway (18 months)
  • Period 2 – TUL, Leoben, Austria (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – ELKEM, Kristiansand, Norway (18 months)
  • Period 2 – TUL, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Mechanical Engineering. Masters level background in materials science, ceramics or mechanical engineering with strong skills in laboratory characterisation of refractories including fracture testing is advantageous. Oral and written communication skills (English) are a prerequisite.
TUL
Ass. Prof. Dietmar GRUBER – 

ELKEM
Dr. Izak CAMERON – 
Dr. Hong PENG – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Moritz, K., Brachhold, N., Hubálková, J., Schmidt, G. and Aneziris, C.G. (2023) ‘Utilization of recycled material for producing magnesia-carbon refractories’, Ceramics, 6(1), pp. 30–42. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics6010003.
  • Moritz, K., Dudczig, S., Endres, H.G., Herzog, D., Schwarz, M., Schöttler, L., Veres, D. and Aneziris, C.G. (2022) ‘Magnesia-carbon refractories from recycled materials’, International Journal of Ceramic Engineering & Science, 4(1), pp. 53–58. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ces2.10115.
  • Ludwig, M., Śnieżek, E., Jastrzębska, I., Prorok, R., Sułkowski, M., Goławski, C., Fischer, C., Wojteczko, K. and Szczerba, J. (2021) ‘Recycled magnesia-carbon aggregate as the component of new type of MgO-C refractories’, Construction and Building Materials, 272, article 121912. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121912.
  • Silva, W.M., Aneziris, C.G. and Brito, M. (2011) ‘Effect of alumina and silica on the hydration behaviour of magnesia-based refractory castables’, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 94(12), pp. 4218–4225. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2011.04788.x.
  • Silva, W.M. (2011) Microsilica-bonded magnesia-based refractory castables: Bonding mechanism and control of damage due to magnesia hydration. PhD thesis. Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg. Available at: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:105-qucosa-77492.

PhD 06 - Microstructural engineering of cement-free binder systems for sustainable, high-performance refractory castables

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between IRCER-Limoges (France) and ELKEM-Kristiansand (Norway)

PhD06 will develop next-generation cement-free binder systems for refractory castables, including microsilica gel, magnesium oxide-silicon dioxide systems, and magnesium oxide combined with hydratable or spherical alumina. The aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of refractory production while maintaining or improving setting behaviour, phase evolution, high-temperature stability and recyclability. The work will investigate binder chemistry, gelation mechanisms, interfacial reactivity and the evolution of microstructure during thermal exposure. It will generate complete datasets linking processing conditions, microstructure and material properties.
The project will deliver optimised cement-free binder systems, a better understanding of their chemistry and thermal evolution, and datasets linking processing, microstructure and performance. It will also provide design guidance for recyclable, low-carbon castables that can be integrated into digital traceability and sustainability frameworks.
PhD06 interacts particularly with PhD02, PhD05 and PhD11. Its development of low-carbon cement-free binders supports environmental assessment and ecodesign, complements the castable optimisation work of PhD05, and provides input for dry-out and early-age modelling in PhD11. More broadly, its datasets also support predictive modelling and digital traceability across the project.
  • Short stays (2 weeks + 2 weeks) at the Chair of Ceramics, Technical University of Leoben to perform mechanical testing, including fracture energy and creep resistance measurements, and to support finite element modelling.
  • Short stays (2 weeks + 2 weeks) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility to carry out high-temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction and nano-holotomography for in situ analysis.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – ELKEM, Kristiansand, Norway (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – ELKEM, Kristiansand, Norway (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
Master’s degree in Materials Science, Ceramics Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with strong fundamentals in inorganic materials and a clear interest in microstructural engineering and cement‑free binder systems. Oral and written communication skills (English) are a prerequisite.
IRCER
Prof. Cécile PAGNOUX – 
Prof. Marc HUGER – 

ELKEM
Dr. Hong PENG – 
Dr. Izak CAMERON – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Nouri-Khezrabad, M., Braulio, M.A.L., Pandolfelli, V.C., Golestani-Fard, F. and Rezaie, H.R. (2013) ‘Nano-bonded refractory castables’, Ceramics International, 39(4), pp. 3479–3497. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2012.11.028.
  • Peng, H. (2023) ‘Recent progress in microsilica-gel bonded no-cement castables’, Ceramics International, 49(14, Part B), pp. 24566–24571. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.12.187.
  • Peng, H., Liu, J., Wang, Q. and Li, Y. (2020) ‘Improvement in slag resistance of no-cement refractory castables by matrix design’, Ceramics, 3(1), pp. 31–39. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics3010004.
  • Luz, A.P., Lopes, S.J.S., Gomes, D.T. and Pandolfelli, V.C. (2018) ‘High-alumina refractory castables bonded with novel alumina-silica-based powdered binders’, Ceramics International, 44(8), pp. 9159–9167. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.02.124.
  • Stadtmüller, T.M.J., Storti, E., Brachhold, N., Lauermannová, A.-M., Jankovský, O., Schemmel, T., Hubálková, J., Gehre, P. and Aneziris, C.G. (2023) ‘MgO–C refractories based on refractory recyclates and environmentally friendly binders’, Open Ceramics, 16, article 100469. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceram.2023.100469.

PhD 07 - Virtual laboratory for microcracks prediction in refractory materials: From DEM modelling to industrial application

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between IRCER-Limoges (France) and IMERYS-Vaulx-Milieu (France)

PhD07 will develop a Computer-Assisted Microstructure Design tool for predicting and optimising microcrack initiation and propagation in refractory materials subjected to thermal shock. The project focuses on advanced Discrete Element Method modelling, in particular the improved Distinct Lattice Spring Model, to represent the behaviour of realistic industrial refractories rather than simplified model materials. The modelling framework will be extended to include phase transitions, mechanical anisotropy and energy-based fracture criteria.
The project will deliver a calibrated virtual laboratory able to generate realistic microstructures, simulate microcrack formation and support optimisation studies for thermal-shock-resistant refractory design. The final output will be a usable digital design tool supported by experimental validation.
PhD07 is strongly connected to the other materials-design projects in Work Package 2, especially PhD05, PhD06, PhD08 and PhD09. Its virtual laboratory approach provides predictive modelling tools that complement experimental characterisation, helping translate microstructural observations into design rules for improved thermal-shock resistance and durability.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at the Chair of Ceramics, Technical University of Leoben to study the applicability of an energy-based microcrack nucleation and propagation criterion for use in discrete-element simulations.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IMERYS, Lyon, France (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IMERYS, Lyon, France (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering. Excellent skills for numerical method applied to mechanics. A good knowledge in material science and their associated experimental characterisation technics is also expected. Oral and written communication skills (English) are also required. Some experiences in Python and/or C++ programming will be appreciated.
IRCER
Dr. Damien ANDRÉ – 
Prof. Marc HUGER – 

IMERYS
Dr. Ratana SOTH – 
Dr. Christoph WÖHRMEYER – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Andreev, K., Yin, Y., Luchini, B. and Sabirov, I. (2021) ‘Failure of refractory masonry material under monotonic and cyclic loading: Crack propagation analysis’, Construction and Building Materials, 299, article 124203. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124203.
  • Grigoriev, A.S., Zabolotskiy, A.V., Shilko, E.V., Dmitriev, A.I. and Andreev, K. (2021) ‘Analysis of the quasi-static and dynamic fracture of the silica refractory using the mesoscale discrete element modelling’, Materials, 14(23), article 7376. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14237376.
  • Ranganathan, H., André, D., Mouiya, M., Huger, M., Soth, R. and Wöhrmeyer, C. (2025) ‘A multiscale discrete element thermomechanical modeling approach of microcracking generated at high temperature by anisotropic thermal expansion in an elastic brittle polycrystalline ceramic material’, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 320, article 111088. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2025.111088.
  • Gong, Z., Guan, K., Rao, P., Zeng, Q., Liu, J. and Feng, Z. (2021) ‘Numerical study of thermal shock damage mechanism of polycrystalline ceramics’, Frontiers in Materials, 8, article 724377. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2021.724377.
  • Longchamp, V., Girardot, J., André, D., Malaise, F., Quet, A., Carles, P. and Iordanoff, I. (2024) ‘Discrete 3D modeling of porous-cracked ceramic at the microstructure scale’, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 44(4), pp. 2522–2536. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.11.026.

PhD 08 - Investigation of the structural spalling and thermal fatigue of alumina-spinel refractory castables

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between FGF and IMERYS-Vaulx-Milieu (France) 

PhD08 will develop refractory alumina-spinel castable systems with improved performance when exposed to severe operating conditions by using engineered refractory aggregates with controlled properties. To this end, quantitative correlations between microstructure and thermal-shock resistance (TSR) in alumina–spinel castables are to be established using practice-oriented testing methods (thermal shock cycling at high temperature) and the ATHORNA device (monitoring the crack propagation during thermal shocks). The parameters that most strongly govern spalling under severe thermal cycling (including specimens exposed to corrosive media) will be identified and used to calibrate finite element models.
The project will produce quantitative relationships between microstructural features and thermal-shock behaviour, validated finite element models of spalling and fatigue, and recommendations for improved formulations as well as more representative testing protocols to assess the thermal shock resistance of refractory under service conditions.
PhD08 interacts closely with PhD07, PhD09 and PhD10. Its experimental work on thermal shock, spalling and fatigue complements the discrete-element and finite-element modelling activities, while also providing insight that can be transferred to other refractory systems, including ceramic shell moulds for investment casting.
  • Short stay (1 week) at IRCER / CNRS to perform thermal-shock resistance measurements with the ATHORNA device and complementary microstructural investigations using high-temperature ultrasonic and acoustic-emission techniques.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at the Chair of Ceramics, Technical University of Leoben to perform mechanical testing, including fracture energy and creep resistance measurements, and to support finite element modelling.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – FGF, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Koblenz area, Germany (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IMERYS, Vaulx-Milieu, Lyon area, France (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – FGF, Höhr-Grenzhausen, Koblenz area, Germany (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IMERYS, Vaulx-Milieu, Lyon area, France (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science, Geosciences, or Mineralogy. Candidates should have strong experimental and analytical skills in mineralogy and/or material science. A solid background in microstructure evaluation and thermomechanical analysis is expected. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Experience with laboratory techniques and numerical simulation is a plus.
FGF
Dr. Erwan BROCHEN – 
Dr. Christian DANNERT – 

IMERYS
Dr. J.-M. AUVRAY – 
Dr. C. WÖHRMEYER – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Cannio, M., Boccaccini, D.N. and Romagnoli, M. (2014) ‘New methods for the assessment of thermal shock resistance in refractory materials’, in Hetnarski, R.B. (ed.) Encyclopedia of Thermal Stresses. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 3293–3307. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2739-7_34
  • Kaczmarek, R., Teixeira, L., Mouiya, M., Dupré, J.-C., Doumalin, P., Pop, O., Tessier-Doyen, N. and Huger, M. (2025) ‘Study of thermomechanical behaviour of refractory materials under thermal gradient. Part II—Experimental and numerical analysis on the example of a shaped alumina spinel refractory’, Experimental Mechanics, 65, pp. 351–364. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11340-024-01116-1
  • Loison, L., Sassi, M., Tonnesen, T., de Bilbao, E., Telle, R. and Poirier, J. (2020) ‘Differences in the corrosive spalling behavior of alumina-rich castables: Microstructural and crystallographic considerations of alumina and calcium aluminate matrices’, Ceramics, 3(2), pp. 223–234. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics3020020

PhD 09 - In situ multi-physics characterisation and modelling of refractory materials under severe thermal gradients

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between IRCER-Limoges (France) and CERAQUITAINE (France)

PhD09 will develop scientific understanding and predictive models for the thermomechanical behaviour of industrial refractories subjected to severe cyclic thermal gradients. The project will use the ATHORNA platform to perform in situ, multi-physics monitoring of large-scale samples under controlled thermal loading. Temperature, displacement, strain and damage evolution will be measured simultaneously using advanced optical and acoustic techniques, including high-temperature Digital Image Correlation.
The project will establish a platform for in situ multi-physics characterisation, generate high-quality datasets under severe thermal gradients, and improve the validation of advanced non-linear finite element and discrete element models. It will also provide transferable thermomechanical characterisation protocols for industry.
PhD09 is particularly linked to PhD08 and PhD10, as all three projects investigate refractory behaviour under severe thermal gradients and thermal shock. PhD09 contributes advanced in situ multi-physics measurements that support the validation of the modelling approaches developed in the other projects and help bridge laboratory-scale investigation with real industrial conditions.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Forschungs-Gemeinschaft Feuerfest to perform thermal-shock measurements using its practice-oriented testing system.
  • Short stay (2 weeks) at an industrial client of Ceraquitaine to observe refractory materials in real applications and compare laboratory results with operational conditions.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – CERAQUITAINE, Saint-Aulaye, France (9 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
  • Period 3 – CERAQUITAINE, Saint-Aulaye, France (9 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – CERAQUITAINE, Saint-Aulaye, France (9 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
  • Period 3 – CERAQUITAINE, Saint-Aulaye, France (9 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Instrumentation in Physics/Mechanical Engineering. Candidates should have an excellent basis in materials science (especially, an experience concerning ceramic materials is appreciated) and/or instrumentation for developing and performing thermomechanical characterisation techniques. Knowledge in Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and/or numerical modelling of materials by FEM or DEM could be advantageous. Oral and written communication skills (English) are also required.
IRCER
Prof. Marc HUGER – 
Dr. Nicolas TESSIER-DOYEN – 
Dr. Elsa THUNE –

CERAQUITAINE
Gilles POUTEAU, 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Kaczmarek, R., Teixeira, L., Mouiya, M. et al. Study of Thermomechanical Behaviour of Refractory Materials Under Thermal Gradient. Part II—Experimental and Numerical Analysis on the Example of a Shaped Alumina Spinel Refractory. Exp Mech 65, 351–364, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-024-01142-1
  • Chotard T., Soro J., Lemercier H., Huger M., Gault C. High temperature characterisation of cordierite–mullite refractory by ultrasonic means, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 28 (11), 2129-2135, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2008.02.029.
  • Mouiya M., Tessier-Doyen N., Tamraoui Y., Gruber D., Dupré JC., Doumalin P., Alami J., Huger M., Engineered microcracking in alumina/aluminum titanate composites: A pathway to enhance nonlinear mechanical behavior and fracture energy, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 46(5), 118046, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2025.118046.

PhD 10 - Advanced ceramic shell architectures for investment casting of turbine blades - Design for thermal shock resistance

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between IRCER-Limoges (France) and SAFRAN-Colombes (France)

PhD10 will optimise ceramic shell mould architecture for investment casting of turbine blades, with the aim of increasing production rates while avoiding macrocracking during rapid heating in Bridgman furnaces. The project will establish quantitative relationships between shell microstructure, cluster architecture and thermal-shock resistance, and it will combine advanced in situ testing with multi-scale finite element modelling to define predictive design rules.
The project will identify critical thermal-gradient thresholds, propose improved shell and cluster architectures, and deliver validated design rules and digital tools that support industrial transfer to turbine-blade casting.
PhD10 interacts mainly with PhD08 and PhD09, sharing experimental and modelling approaches related to thermal-shock resistance and crack development. It extends these concepts to the specific case of ceramic shell moulds for turbine-blade casting, thereby broadening the industrial relevance of the project’s materials and modelling framework.
  • Short stay (1 week) at Forschungs-Gemeinschaft Feuerfest to perform thermal-shock tests using its application-oriented testing system.
  • Short stay (1 week) at the Chair of Ceramics, Technical University of Leoben to carry out mechanical testing, including fracture energy and creep resistance measurements, and to support finite element modelling.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – SAFRAN, Colombes, France (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – SAFRAN, Colombes, France (18 months)
  • Period 2 – IRCER, Limoges, France (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering. Candidates should be excellent in their skills for numerical method applied to thermo-mechanics, with some experiences. Familiarity with software such as Abaqus would be an advantage. Knowledge in material science, associated experimental characterisation techniques is also expected (experience with ceramic materials is appreciated). Oral and written communication skills (English) are also needed (experience with Finite Element Method software(s) is appreciated).
IRCER
Dr. Damien ANDRÉ – 
Prof. Marc HUGER – 

SAFRAN
Dr. A. AGNE – 
Dr. A. PINTO MORA – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Tu, J.S., Foran, R.K., Hines, A.M. and Aimone, P.R. (1995) ‘An integrated procedure for modeling investment castings’, JOM, 47(10), pp. 64–68. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221290.
  • Greco, C.S., Paolillo, G., Contino, M., Caramiello, C., Di Foggia, M. and Cardone, G. (2020) ‘3D temperature mapping of a ceramic shell mould in investment casting process via infrared thermography’, Quantitative InfraRed Thermography Journal, 17(1), pp. 40–62. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17686733.2019.1608083.
  • Xu, M., Lekakh, S.N. and Von Richards, L. (2016) ‘Thermal property database for investment casting shells’, International Journal of Metalcasting, 10(3), pp. 342–347. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-016-0052-4.
  • Yang, S. and Leu, M.C. (1999) ‘Analysis of shell cracking in investment casting with laser stereolithography patterns’, Rapid Prototyping Journal, 5(1), pp. 12–20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/13552549910251837.
  • Chen, X., Li, D., Wu, H., Tang, Y. and Zhao, L. (2011) ‘Analysis of ceramic shell cracking in stereolithography-based rapid casting of turbine blade’, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 55(5–8), pp. 447–455. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-010-3064-x.
  • Deaton, J.D. and Grandhi, R.V. (2016) ‘Stress-based design of thermal structures via topology optimization’, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 53(2), pp. 253–270. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-015-1331-z.
  • Behera, M.M., Pattnaik, S. and Sutar, M.K. (2019) ‘Thermo-mechanical analysis of investment casting ceramic shell: A case study’, Measurement, 147, article 106805. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2019.07.033.
  • Everhart, W.A. (2011) Crack formation in investment casting ceramic shells. Master’s thesis. Missouri University of Science and Technology. Available at: https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/4475.

PhD 11 - Thermo-hygral-mechanical modelling and optimisation of dry-out and early-age behaviour in castable refractory linings

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between UMINHO (Portugal) and RHIM-Leoben (Austria)

PhD11 will develop and validate a thermo-hygro-mechanical finite element modelling framework for the dry-out of castable ladle linings, comparing natural and accelerated drying schedules. The project will instrument laboratory specimens, a biaxial press and a pilot ladle to monitor moisture transport, temperature and internal stress. It will model damage caused by pore pressure, early-age creep and microcracking, and assess how these phenomena influence later corrosion and degradation.
The project will deliver validated dry-out models, instrumented experimental datasets and guidance on the trade-off between energy consumption, process duration and durability. It will also compare the dry-out behaviour of castable and brick lining concepts under equivalent conditions.
PhD11 is closely connected to PhD06, PhD14 and PhD15. Its thermo-hygro-mechanical modelling of dry-out and early-age behaviour provides inputs for digital twin development and operational decision support, while also benefiting from materials knowledge on binder systems and castable design. Its results are also relevant for sustainability and traceability by contributing drying-phase performance indicators.
  • Secondment period (6 months) at Tata Steel to develop and carry out experimental campaigns on the three-dimensional pilot ladle, with a focus on the dry-out and early-age behaviour of castable linings.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – UMINHO, Guimarães, Portugal (18 months)
  • Period 2 – RHIM, Leoben, Austria (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – UMINHO, Guimarães, Portugal (18 months)
  • Period 2 – RHIM, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Engineering or similar field. Candidates should have strong understanding of constitutive modelling and numerical skills in multiphysics environments. A solid background in programming in object-oriented languages such as python or others. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
UMINHO
Dr. João M. PEREIRA – 
Dr. Miguel AZENHA – 

RHIM,
Dr. Ulrich MARSCHALL – 
Dr. Aidong HOU – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Kudžma, A., Antonovič, V., Stonys, R. and Gribniak, V. (2025) ‘Refractory castables cured at low temperatures—Spalling risks and testing’, Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, article e04701. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04701.
  • Sun, L., Ding, D., Xiao, G., Chen, J., Li, Y., Kang, J., Chong, X., Lei, C., Luo, J. and Zheng, X. (2023) ‘Gas permeability of alumina-spinel refractory castables bonded with hydratable magnesium carboxylate’, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 106(12), pp. 7618–7631. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19363.
  • Juárez Trujillo, J., Castro, J.A., Innocentini, M.D.M. and Vernilli, F. (2023) ‘Combined transient 3D simulation and experimental methods to assess a slow heat-up curve used to dry a refractory concrete’, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 185, article 108063. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2022.108063.
  • Sciumè, G., Moreira, M.H. and Dal Pont, S. (2024) ‘Thermo-hygro-chemical model of concrete: from curing to high temperature behavior’, Materials and Structures, 57, article 186. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-024-02454-3.
  • Dal Pont, S., Sciumè, G. and Moreira, M.H. (2025) ‘From curing to fire accident: A novel, comprehensive model for concrete’s fire resistance’, in Pichler, B.L.A., Hellmich, Ch. and Preinstorfer, P. (eds.) Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures (FraMCoS XII), Vienna, Austria. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21012/FC12.1153.
  • Sardelli, J.A.P., Borges, O.H., Pagliosa Neto, C. and Pandolfelli, V.C. (2023) ‘Is the in-situ ZnAl2O4 formation an alternative for magnesia-alumina spinel zero-carbon shaped refractories?’, Ceramics International, 49(17, Part B), pp. 28643–28650. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.06.119.
  • Schnabel, M., Buhr, A., Exenberger, R. and Rampitsch, C. (2010) ‘Spinel: In situ versus preformed – Clearing the myth’, refractories WORLDFORUM, 2(2), pp. 87–93. Available at: https://www.almatis.com/sites/default/files/technical_papers/media/ixvb5jn2/spinel-in-situ-versus-preformed-clearing-the-myth.pdf.

PhD 12 - Advanced creep characterisation for accurate thermomechanical lining simulations

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between Technical University of Leoben and TATASTEEL-IJmuiden (Netherlands)

PhD12 will establish reliable methods for characterising and identifying creep behaviour in refractory castables under realistic thermal and mechanical loading. The project will combine pilot ladle trials, biaxial press testing and advanced laboratory methods, and it will go beyond standard constitutive laws when necessary. Special attention will be given to temperature dependence, strain recovery and the reduction of interpolation errors in creep models.
The project will deliver robust creep characterisation data, validated constitutive laws and guidance for more credible finite element simulations and digital twin applications. These results will support improved lining design and maintenance planning.
PhD12 interacts directly with PhD13 and PhD14, since the creep laws and thermomechanical parameters it identifies are essential for finite element wear modelling and for the physics-based core of the digital twin. It also complements PhD11 by contributing to a better understanding of refractory behaviour under realistic thermal and mechanical cycles.
  • Short stay (2 weeks) at RHI Magnesita to perform biaxial press tests.
  • Secondment period (18 months) at Tata Steel to validate creep models against plant observations and measurements under realistic operating conditions.
  • Secondment period (2 months) at the University of Orléans to support the development of advanced creep models.
Work contract timeline:

  • TUL, Leoben, Austria (36 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – TATA Steel IJmuiden, the Netherlands (18 months)
  • Period 2 – TUL, Leoben, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science and/or Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering. Masters level background in materials science, ceramics or mechanical engineering with skills in mechanical characterisation of refractories and FE-simulation is advantageous. Oral and written communication skills (English) are a prerequisite. This PhD will have one contract for the full 36 months from the Technical University of Leoben. As the PhD will be employed in Austria, the mobility rule applies to Austria not The Netherlands (even though this will be the initial location for this PhD). This means that candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Austria for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before recruitment. Short stays and holidays do not count.
TUL Ass. Prof. Dietmar GRUBER –  TATA Steel Dr. Paul VAN BEURDEN –  Frank VAN SIKKELERUS –  Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.
Some examples of recent publications:

  • Akbari, B., Gruber, D., Jin, S. and Harmuth, H. (2023) ‘Creep strain recovery of an in situ spinel-forming refractory castable under loading/unloading compressive creep conditions’, Ceramics International, 49(15), pp. 25225–25231. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.05.055.
  • Schachner, S., Jin, S., Gruber, D. and Harmuth, H. (2019) ‘Three stage creep behavior of MgO containing ordinary refractories in tension and compression’, Ceramics International, 45(7), pp. 9483–9490. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.124.
  • Gajjar, P.N., Put, P., Pereira, J.M., Luchini, B., Sinnema, S. and Lourenço, P.B. (2024) ‘Development and experimental characterization of the thermomechanical behavior of a scaled steel ladle’, International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 21(5), pp. 3660–3677. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijac.14783.
  • Samadi, S., Jin, S., Gruber, D. and Harmuth, H. (2022) ‘Thermomechanical finite element modeling of steel ladle containing alumina spinel refractory lining’, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 206, article 103762. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finel.2022.103762.
  • Akbari, B., Gruber, D., Jin, S. and Harmuth, H. (2022) ‘Investigation of three-stage compressive creep of a spinel forming refractory castable containing 8% MgO’, Ceramics International, 48(3), pp. 3287–3292. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.10.103.

PhD 13 - Innovative wear modelling and ladle optimization (FEM)

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between University of Orleans (France) and TATASTEEL-IJmuiden (Netherlands)

PhD13 will develop and validate finite element models for ladle linings, including both brick and monolithic lining concepts. These models will capture dry-out, thermal shock, primary and secondary creep, corrosion-driven property changes and progressive wear. The project will compare different lining architectures, investigate trade-offs between geometry, layer thickness and thermal cycling, and derive simplified models suitable for faster optimisation and integration into digital tools.
The project will deliver two validated thermo-mechanical models for brick and monolithic ladle linings, as well as a reduced model suitable for topology optimisation and digital twin workflows. It will also provide guidance linking lining design choices to value-in-use and environmental performance.
PhD13 is one of the key linking projects between materials characterisation and operational optimisation. It uses constitutive data from PhD11 and PhD12, and in turn provides simulation outputs and reduced-order models to PhD14 and PhD15 for digital twin development and decision support. It therefore plays a central role in translating material behaviour into operational modelling.
  • Secondment period (18 months) at Tata Steel to validate the wear models using plant observations and measurements.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at Stahl-Holding-Saar to transfer numerical results to PhD14 and support the data-driven modelling activities.
Work contract timeline:

  • UORL – LaMé, Orléans, France (36 months)

Work localisation timeline:

  • Period 1 – TATASTEEL, IJmuiden, The Netherlands (18 months)
  • Period 2 – UORL – LaMé, Orléans, France (18 months)
Master’s level in Mechanics and/or Computational Methods in Mechanical Engineering. Candidates should be excellent in their skills for numerical method (finite element method) applied to mechanics, with some experiences. Oral and written communication skills (English) are also required. This PhD will have one contract for the full 36 months from the University of Orleans. As the PhD will be employed in France, the mobility rule applies to France not The Netherlands (even though this will be the initial location for this PhD). This means that candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before recruitment. Short stays and holidays do not count.
UORL – LaMé Pr. Alain GASSER –  Dr. Thomas SAYET – Dr. Lukas JAKABCIN –  TATASTEEL Dr. Paul VAN BEURDEN –  Frank van SIKKELERUS –  Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.
Some examples of recent publications:

  • Huo, Y., Gu, H., Yang, J., Huang, A. and Ma, Z. (2022) ‘Thickness monitoring and discontinuous degradation mechanism of wear lining refractories for refining ladle’, Journal of Iron and Steel Research International, 29(7), pp. 1110–1118. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42243-021-00731-x.
  • Johansen, S.T., Løvfall, B.T. and Rodriguez Duran, T. (2024) ‘A pragmatical physics-based model for predicting ladle lifetime’, Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 124(3), pp. 93–110. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2680/2024.
  • Maj, M., Tatzgern, F., Rojacz, H., Adam, K. and Varga, M. (2025) ‘Wear progress monitoring in torpedo ladles in steel industry’, Wear, 580–581, article 206297. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2025.206297.
  • Liao, C., Li, G., Wei, L., Ji, W. and Yi, Z. (2024) ‘A novel temperature dynamic prediction model for erosion risk mitigation of ladle’, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 156, article 107612. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2024.107612.
  • Yilmaz, S. (2003) ‘Thermomechanical modelling for refractory lining of a steel ladle lifted by crane’, Steel Research International, 74(8), pp. 485–490. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.200300221.
  • Ali, M., Sayet, T., Gasser, A. and Blond, E. (2020) ‘Transient thermo-mechanical analysis of steel ladle refractory linings using mechanical homogenization approach’, Ceramics, 3(2), pp. 171–188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics3020016.
  • Verrelle, D., Boulanger, P. and Peruzzi, S. (2003) ‘Optimization of steel ladle refractories with a view to increasing ladle capacity’, Metallurgical Research & Technology, 100(10), pp. 961–975. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1051/metal:2003115.
  • Rong, Z., Yi, J., Li, F., Liu, Y. and Eckert, J. (2022) ‘Thermal stress analysis and structural optimization of ladle nozzle based on finite element simulation’, Materials Research Express, 9, article 045601. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ac648c.
  • Klopf, M., Hou, A., Jin, S. and Gruber, D. (2024) ‘Steel ladle slag zone lining optimization considering irreversible material behavior’, Steel Research International, 95(7), article 2300557. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202300557.
  • Ruela, V., van Beurden, P., Luchini, B., Hofmann, R. and Birkelbach, F. (2024) ‘Optimizing the steel ladle thermal management: Toward a sustainable and cost-effective ladle fleet logistics’, Steel Research International, article 2400616. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202400616.
  • Sun, Y., Huang, P., Cao, Y., Jiang, G., Yuan, Z., Bai, D. and Liu, X. (2022) ‘Multi-objective optimization design of ladle refractory lining based on genetic algorithm’, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10, article 900655. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.900655.

PhD 14 - Physics-informed digital twins for design, monitoring and optimal operation of steel ladle refractories

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between UMINHO (Portugal) and SHS (Germany)

PhD14 will build a physics-informed digital twin able to transform harmonised operational data into real-time forecasts of lining temperature, wear and remaining useful life. The project will construct a clean, time-aligned data backbone and combine explainable classification models with reduced-order forecasts grounded in finite element physics. It will also address class imbalance, data drift and predictive uncertainty in a rigorous way, and it will deploy a web-based dashboard for operators.
The project will deliver an end-to-end data pipeline, a web dashboard showing condition labels and wear maps, and hybrid reduced-order and machine-learning models with uncertainty quantification and explainability. The digital twin will be validated through retrospective studies and an industrial demonstration campaign.
PhD14 integrates results from several other projects, especially PhD11, PhD12, PhD13 and PhD15. It uses dry-out, creep and wear models to build a physics-informed digital twin and also connects with the data-platform and traceability activities so that operational information can be fed back into environmental assessment and digital product record.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at Tata Steel to acquire first-hand knowledge of in situ operational data and plant monitoring practices.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at Tata Steel to conduct an industrial demonstration campaign on a production ladle.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – SHS, Völklingen, Germany (18 months)
  • Period 2 – UMINHO, Guimarães, Portugal (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – SHS, Völklingen, Germany (18 months)
  • Period 2 – UMINHO, Guimarães, Portugal (18 months)
Master’s level in Materials Science, Engineering or similar field. Candidates should have strong analytical skills in engineering. A solid background in thermomechanical analysis is expected. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
UMINHO
Dr. João M. PEREIRA – 
Dr. Joaquim TINOCO – 

SHS
Dr. Ulrike FALTINGS – 
Dr. Michael SCHÄFER – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • Fu, T., Liu, S. and Li, P. (2025) ‘Digital twin-driven smelting process management method for converter steelmaking’, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 36, pp. 2749–2765. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-024-02366-7.
  • Ponsard, C., De Landtsheer, R. and Palm, B. (2018) ‘Accurate reasoning using imperfect digital twins: A steel industry case study’, ERCIM News, 115. Available at: https://ercim-news.ercim.eu/en115/special/accurate-reasoning-using-imperfect-digital-twins-a-steel-industry-case-study.
  • Vannucci, M., Colla, V., Chini, M., Gaspardo, D. and Palm, B. (2022) ‘Artificial intelligence approaches for the ladle predictive maintenance in electric steel plant’, IFAC-PapersOnLine, 55(2), pp. 331–336. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.04.215.
  • Jančar, D., Machů, M., Velička, M., Tvardek, P., Kocián, L. and Vlček, J. (2022) ‘Use of neural networks for lifetime analysis of teeming ladles’, Materials, 15(22), article 8234. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228234.
  • Kim, M., Wen, T., Lee, K. and Choi, Y. (2024) ‘Physics-informed reduced order model with conditional neural fields’, arXiv [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2412.05233.
  • Sun, Y., Huang, P., Cao, Y., Jiang, G., Yuan, Z., Bai, D. and Liu, X. (2022) ‘Multi-objective optimization design of ladle refractory lining based on genetic algorithm’, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10, article 900655. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.900655.
  • Sztangret, Ł., Regulski, K., Pernach, M. and Rauch, Ł. (2023) ‘Prediction of temperature of liquid steel in ladle using machine learning techniques’, Coatings, 13(9), article 1504. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings13091504.
  • Sado, S., Jastrzębska, I., Zelik, W. and Szczerba, J. (2023) ‘Current state of application of machine learning for investigation of MgO-C refractories: A review’, Materials, 16(23), article 7396. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16237396.

PhD 15 - Development of a decision support system for optimizing ladle management under dynamic and sustainable conditions

A 36 Months PhD starting in October 2026 and supervised between TUW (Wien, Austria) and FESIOS (Gmunden, Austria)

PhD15 will develop a Decision Support System that combines predictive analytics, such as condition assessment, remaining useful life and heat-loss forecasts, with prescriptive analytics for optimisation and scheduling. The system will support ladle-fleet management across operational, tactical and strategic time horizons in both basic oxygen furnace and electric arc furnace contexts. It will map operator logic and plant constraints, combine exact optimisation, heuristic methods and reinforcement learning, and connect the decision-support system to a discrete-event virtual melt shop.
The project will deliver a pilot-ready decision-support system validated on historical and simulated industrial campaigns, together with operator-facing visualisations and performance indicators related to downtime, energy use, emissions and ladle utilisation.
PhD15 works especially closely with PhD13 and PhD14, converting predictive modelling outputs and digital twin information into operational recommendations for ladle management. It also links back to the sustainability, traceability and data-platform activities by returning key operational indicators that can support ecodesign, circularity assessment and long-term digital integration across the project.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at Tata Steel to understand the practical melt shop environment, observe operator behaviour and acquire the first datasets needed to build a realistic virtual melt shop model.
  • Secondment period (1 month) at Tata Steel to compare the developed model with real plant practice, identify missing details, discuss implementation and gather any additional data required.
Work contract timeline:

  • Period 1 – FESIOS, Gmunden, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – TUW, Vienna, Austria (18 months)

Work location timeline:

  • Period 1 – FESIOS, Gmunden, Austria (18 months)
  • Period 2 – TUW, Vienna, Austria (18 months)
Master’s level in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field. Candidates should have strong interest in optimisation methods and simulation, preferably with some programming experience (Python). Knowledge of industrial production environments and an interest in sustainability are an asset. Good oral and written communication skills in English are required.
TUW
Prof. René HOFMANN – 
Dr. Florian MÜLLER – 

FESIOS
DI Paul UHL-HÄDICKE – 
DI Alexander KÖNIG – 

Applications must be made via the forms on the recruitment procedure page.

Some examples of recent publications:

  • V. Ruela, P. van Beurden, B. Luchini, R. Hofmann, and F. Birkelbach, “Optimizing the Steel Ladle Thermal Management: Toward a Sustainable and Cost-Effective Ladle Fleet Logistics,” Steel Res Int, vol. 96, no. 2, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.1002/srin.202400616.
  • V. Ruela, P. Van Beurden, S. Sinnema, R. Hofmann, and F. Birkelbach, “A Global Solution Approach to the Energy-Efficient Ladle Dispatching Problem With Refractory Temperature Control,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 137718–137733, 2023, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3339392.
  • M. Lee, K. Moon, K. Lee, J. Hong, and M. Pinedo, “A critical review of planning and scheduling in steel-making and continuous casting in the steel industry,” Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 75, no. 8, pp. 1421–1455, 2024, doi: 10.1080/01605682.2023.2265416.
  • ​J. Yang et al., “Fine description of multi-process operation behavior in steelmaking-continuous casting process by a simulation model with crane non-collision constraint,” Metals (Basel), vol. 9, no. 10, Oct. 2019, doi: 10.3390/met9101078.
  • ​M. Holmström, D. Sundberg, N. E. Perez, A. Arteaga Ayarza, H. Köchner, and B. Glaser, “Numerical Modeling of Direct Current Plasma Versus Natural Gas-Heated Steelmaking Ladles: Validation via Full-Scale Industrial Measurements,” Steel Res Int, Aug. 2024, doi: 10.1002/srin.202400510.
  • V. Ruela, (2026). Enhancing the Sustainability of Steelmaking through the Optimization of Ladle Operations [Dissertation, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2026.123322

Introduction to Doctoral Networks

Transcript

As a first step, I would like to provide a short general introduction to Doctoral Networks, in order to clarify what these projects are and how they are positioned within the European research landscape. This presentation is partly based on material from the European Commission that I had the opportunity to follow last year.

You are probably familiar with Marie Skłodowska-Curie, a renowned scientist with a bi-national background between Poland and France, who played a major role in the history of science, notably with regard to the place of women in science. Her legacy gave rise to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which are a major European funding programme dedicated to research and training.

The main objectives of MSCA are to train researchers at a very high level, to attract new talent from all over the world, and to promote international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral collaboration. A strong emphasis is placed on cooperation between academic institutions and industry, in order to reduce the gap between fundamental research and applied research.

Within the Horizon Europe framework programme, MSCA are part of Pillar 1, which is dedicated to Excellent Science. This pillar also includes other major instruments such as the European Research Council (ERC) and research infrastructures. The overall objective is to reinforce scientific excellence across Europe.

Within MSCA, Doctoral Networks (DN) represent a specific funding scheme dedicated to training a cohort of PhD candidates. Unlike individual fellowships, Doctoral Networks are designed to train a group of doctoral candidates within a coordinated research and training programme.

A typical Doctoral Network is a large collaborative European project involving between 10 and 30 partner organisations. It usually has a budget on the order of four million euros and supports between 10 and 15 PhD candidates. These projects bring together universities, research institutes, industrial companies, and sometimes other types of non-academic organisations.

The core idea of a Doctoral Network is to interlink individual PhD projects within a coherent scientific framework. Each doctoral project addresses a specific research question, but all projects contribute to a broader scientific objective defined at the level of the consortium.

Importantly, Doctoral Networks are not only research projects; they are also ambitious training programmes. When designing a DN, it is essential to consider both the scientific excellence of the research topics and the quality of the training activities. These include international mobility, interdisciplinary exposure, structured supervision, and career development planning.

The expected impact of Doctoral Networks is multifaceted. At the European level, they contribute to structuring research activities, strengthening links between academia and industry, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and increasing the attractiveness of Europe for talented researchers worldwide. They also play a key role in developing high-level human capital.

One important feature of Doctoral Networks is their capacity to introduce and disseminate new practices. For example, tools such as career development plans, which are now progressively implemented in doctoral schools, have been strongly promoted through MSCA projects. In this sense, Doctoral Networks can act as experimental platforms for improving research and training practices at a broader scale.

Doctoral Networks are implemented within different scientific panels, such as engineering, physics, life sciences, or social sciences. In our case, research topics related to refractory materials are typically submitted within the engineering panel.

There are several modes for implementing a Doctoral Network. In the standard mode, each PhD candidate is mainly supervised by an academic institution, with interactions with other partners, including industry. In the case of Joint Doctorates, PhD candidates are supervised by at least two academic institutions and receive a joint or double PhD degree.

A third mode, which is particularly important, is the Industrial Doctorate. In this case, there is a strong involvement of the non-academic sector. The doctoral candidate is jointly supervised by an academic institution and an industrial partner, and must spend at least 50% of their PhD duration in the non-academic sector. This requirement ensures a strong exposure to industrial challenges and promotes knowledge transfer between academia and industry.

From an organisational point of view, a Doctoral Network involves different types of partners. Beneficiaries are organisations that recruit PhD candidates and receive funding from the European Commission. In addition, there are associated partners, who do not receive funding and do not recruit doctoral candidates, but contribute to the project through training activities, secondments, or other forms of collaboration.

It is also important to highlight that the working environment provided by a Doctoral Network can be significantly different from that of a standard PhD. The strong international dimension, the high level of collaboration, and the structured training programme offer a unique opportunity that is difficult to achieve in a more conventional context.

However, Doctoral Networks are highly competitive programmes. Each year, a large number of proposals are submitted to the European Commission—typically between 1,400 and 1,600—and only about 10% are funded.

The evaluation process is rigorous and consists of several steps. Proposals are first evaluated individually by experts, then discussed within a consensus group to harmonise evaluations, and finally assessed at the panel level to establish a ranking.

Projects are evaluated according to three main criteria: excellence, impact, and quality of implementation. Excellence refers to the scientific quality of the research and training programme. Impact concerns the expected benefits in terms of career development and societal or economic effects. Quality of implementation relates to the organisation of the consortium and the feasibility of the project.

Based on my own experience over the past years, it is clear that the level of competition has significantly increased over time, making it increasingly challenging to obtain funding. Nevertheless, Doctoral Networks represent an extremely powerful instrument for structuring research and training at the European level.

To conclude, I would like to recall a key message attributed to Marie Skłodowska-Curie: we cannot hope to build a better world without improving individuals. This perfectly reflects the philosophy of MSCA and Doctoral Networks, which aim to invest in people as the primary driver of scientific and societal progress.

ABOUT DOING A PHD WITHIN MARIE SKLODOWSKA-CURIE ACTIONS

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM FORMER PHD STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH SISTER PROJECT ATHOR (2017-2022)?

What can you learn from Diana?

Diana VITIELLO was the PhD1 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). She has defended her PhD at the University of Limoges in April 2021. She is now Material & Process Engineer for SITAEL (Italy) LinkedIn

What can you learn from Robert?

Robert KACZMAREK was the PhD2 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). He has defended his PhD at the University of Limoges in December 2021. He is now Global R&D Trainee at RHI Magnesita (Austria). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Farid?

Farid ASADI was the PhD3 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). He has defended his PhD at the University of Limoges in June 2021. He is now Post-Doctoral Researcher at Ecole des Ponts ParisTech (France). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Camille?

Camille REYNAERT was the PhD4 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). Her PhD Defense will come soon at the University of Krakow. She is now Research Engineer at VESUVIUS (Belgium). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Ilona?

Ilona KIELIBA was the PhD5 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). Her PhD Defense will come soon at the RWTH University of Aachen. She is now Research and Development Engineer at Nemak (Poland). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Lucas?

Lucas TEIXEIRA was the PhD9 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). His PhD Defense will come soon at the University of Orléans. He is now Senior Simulation Engineer at at RHI Magnesita (Austria). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Soheil?

Soheil SAMADI was the PhD14 within ATHOR (www.etn-athor.eu). He has defended his PhD at the University of Leoben in December 2021. He is now Software Development Engineer at Bosch (Austria). LinkedIn

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM FORMER PHD STUDENTS INVOLVED WITH SISTER PROJECT CESAREF (2022-2026)?

What can you learn from João?

João Victor MENEZES CUNHA was the PhD01 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). He completed his PhD between the University of Liege and RHI Magnesita. He is now working at RHI Magnesita (Austria). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Kwasi?

Kwasi BOATENG was the PhD06 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). He completed his PhD between the University of Limoges and IMERYS. He is now working at RHI Magnesita (Austria). LinkedIn

What can you learn from Harikeshava?

Harikeshava RANGANATHAN was the PhD08 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). He completed his PhD between the University of Limoges and IMERYS. LinkedIn

What can you learn from Paula?

Paula CAMPOS DE OLIVEIRA was the PhD10 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). She completed her PhD between BAM and SAFRAN. LinkedIn

What can you learn from Milena?

Milena GOMES was the PhD12 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). She completed her PhD between RWTH and RHI Magnesita. LinkedIn

What can you learn from Victor?

Victor SAO PAULO RUELA was the PhD15 within CESAREF (https://www.cesaref.eu/). He completed his PhD between the TUW and Tata Steel. LinkedIn