PhD Studentship: Thermodynamic Modelling of Minority Phases in EAF Steels University of Cambridge in United Kingdom

[Full funding for 4 years covering a personal maintenance stipend starting at £20,780 per annum with a top up of £5,500 per annum from Tata Steel. Fees covered for UK/home students; exceptional international candidates may be eligible for an International Fee Bursary.] This PhD studentship at the University of Cambridge focuses on the thermodynamic modelling of minority phases in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steels, a critical area for the reliable production of thin rolled steel products. The project addresses challenges arising from residual element accumulation, which can compromise processability and material properties. As part of the Structural Materials Group in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, the successful candidate will join a dynamic research team with expertise spanning alloy design, microstructure-property relationships, phase transformations, and advanced materials processing.

The research will involve using thermodynamic modelling to predict equilibrium and non-equilibrium phases for a range of steel compositions, particularly those with elevated levels of copper, molybdenum, nickel, and tin. These predictions will be directly compared with experimentally identified phases from high throughput samples. Characterization techniques will include scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, nano-secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and 3D atom probe tomography. The data generated will be used to refine thermodynamic database parameters, improving predictive accuracy for industrial applications.

The studentship is fully funded for four years, with a personal maintenance stipend starting at £20,780 per annum and an additional £5,500 per annum from Tata Steel. Fees are covered for UK/home students, and exceptional international candidates may be eligible for an International Fee Bursary. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a good UK Masters degree or overseas equivalent in a relevant science subject such as Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, capable of independent research, and able to communicate findings effectively. Training in all computational and experimental methods will be provided, though prior experience is advantageous. The application process requires submission via the University Application Portal, including a research statement, CV, publication list, and contact details for two referees.

The position is open until 2 December 2025, with interviews to follow. Early applications are encouraged as the position may be filled once suitable candidates are identified. The University of Cambridge is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from all backgrounds.