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We are looking for 15 PhD students to join our project REFFRACTEUR (Digital REFractory FRAmework for a Carbon-neutral and Resilient indusTry in EURope), to tackle refractory materials challenges across the value chain—from raw materials to end-users—via academia-industry collaboration. The project will train 15 Doctoral Candidates through an innovative programme combining advanced research in materials science, process engineering, digital tools (AI, digital twins, and sustainability (life cycle assessment). Each researcher will benefit from dual academic/industrial supervision and spend at least 50% of their time in industry, ensuring strong intersectoral skills and real-world impact. Candidates must apply via the online form here:

All required documents must be in English and combined into a single PDF file for upload:

• Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications
• Copy of your ID document (passport or national ID)
• Letter of application, indicating the selected project(s) and the motivation for your choice. Discuss in bullets your skills that are specifically adapted to the chosen topic and provide supporting evidence for your arguments.
• Certificate of Master’s Degree (or equivalent) with transcripts of records
• Proof of English proficiency
• Work experience certificates, if applicable
• Manuscripts of the listed publications, if applicable
• 2 recommendation letters (addressing the candidates’ academic, technical, and communication skills, independence, and motivation)

All official certificates must be submitted in their original European language or accompanied by an official English translation (for non-European documents). For any questions, please contact the main supervisor of the PhD position you’re interested in.  

Early-stage researchers are those who, at the time of recruitment by the host institution, are in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research career. This period is measured from the date on which they obtained the degree that formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country where the degree was obtained or in the country where the research training is provided, regardless of whether a doctorate was actually started. This typically means that applicants are within the first four years after their master’s degree. International Mobility Requirements Researchers are required to undertake transnational mobility when taking up the position (i.e., move from one country to another). At the time of selection by the host organization, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account. English Language Requirements Network fellows must demonstrate that their level of written and spoken English is sufficient for them to benefit fully from the training and research activities within the network.

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary package in accordance with the MSCA-ITN programme regulations for early-stage researchers. The exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on the country correction factor (to account for cost-of-living differences across EU Member States). Salary structure (to be confirmed upon recruitment)

• Living Allowance of €4010/month (This is a gross value (employer and employee taxes will be removed) and will be subject to a country-specific correction factor)
• Mobility allowance: €710/month.
• Family allowance*: €660/month (depending on family situation).

Taxation and Social contributions (including pension) deductions will be deducted according to national and company regulations. *Family Allowance eligibility: married / in a relationship with equivalent status to marriage (recognized by the legislation of the country/region where formalized) / have dependent children being maintained by the researcher. The guaranteed PhD funding covers 36 months (EC-funded, with additional funding possible depending on the local supervisor). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from comprehensive continuing education, including internships and secondments, interactive international training modules, transferable skills courses, and active participation in workshops and conferences. They will collaborate with an enthusiastic team of professionals and benefit from a Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP) to prepare for their future careers.

The Recruitment, Training and Skill Progress Committee (RTSPC) establishes clear recruitment criteria to ensure fairness across all partners, in full compliance with the Charter & Code for Researchers. Pre-selection and final selection follow a collective, open, transparent, and merit-based process led by the RTSPC. After the submission deadline, eligible applications (meeting EU requirements) are reviewed by the PhD Steering Committee, which submits its preferred candidates to the RTSPC for shortlisting. The top preselected candidates will present and be interviewed—either in person or via video conference—during a collective Recruitment Event (dates to be defined see below). This process generates a ranked list of suitable candidates for submission to the Supervisory Board (SB), which makes the final decision. If not all 15 PhD positions can be filled, recruitment becomes « decentralized, » with supervisors continuing the search for qualified candidates while keeping the RTSPC informed. The SB oversees the entire process (preselection and final recruitment) to ensure full adherence to the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, guaranteeing transparency and fairness.

• Monday 8th June 2026: Deadline for all applications
• Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July 2026: Preselection process by the PhD Supervision Committees (PhD-SC)
• Monday 6th July 2026: Invitation of preselected applicants for interview in Brussels
• From Monday 13th to Friday 17th July 2026: Recruitment Event in Brussels or Monday 20th to Friday 24th July 2026: Recruitment Event in Brussels
• 1st August 2026: Start date for VISA procedure and Security checking
• 1st October 2026:  Start date of the REFFRACTEUR project
• 1st October or 1st November 2026: Start date of REFFRACTEUR PhDs

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