PhD position on the transition to a green steel industry

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PhD position on the transition to a green steel industry

Faculty: Faculty of Geosciences Department: Department of Sustainable Development Hours per week: 36 to 40 Application deadline: 25 August 2025

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research on the transition to a green steel industry. A world without steel is unimaginable, yet we need to produce this steel sustainably. The Groeien met Groen Staal programme (GGS) aims at making the Dutch steel sector CO₂-neutral by 2050.

Your job

Despite its environmental impact, steel is crucial to modern society and its development and plays a crucial economic role in the Netherlands. Transformation is necessary for the steel sector to continue to remain a key sector of the Dutch economy. Achieving ambitious environmental and social goals necessitates the development of innovative transformative pathways across the value chain. This requires an understanding of material flows and qualities. This project will develop the tools to model in sufficient detail the steel flows and evaluate the role and contribution of changes in (production, manufacturing and recycling) technology and consumption patterns (including Circular Economy), and steel qualities/grades.

In the project you will work with many stakeholders in the (green) steel value chain, and especially in close collaboration with other researchers at Utrecht University, Technical University Delft, Leiden University and University of Twente.

Key Responsibilities:

• Mapping stakeholders in the Dutch, European and international markets of high-quality steel products and scrap producers for the relevant value chains.
• Dynamic Material Flow Analysis (MFA) modeling for steel demand that allows a mix of steel grades and scrap qualities.
• Evaluation of various scenarios for future steel to understand the implications for raw materials demand and the role of technologies.
• Identification of bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials (including scrap) and technology deployment and definition of policies to overcome these for sustainable steelmaking in The Netherlands.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, and knowledge institutions.
• Publish high-quality academic papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Contribute to the broader research program of the Copernicus Institute on sustainability transitions and circular economy.

Your qualities

• A Master’s degree in energy, materials, sustainability, industrial ecology, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with experience in (dynamic) Material Flow Analysis or modelling (required).
• Knowledge of energy and material systems, and circular economy is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and, preferably, Dutch.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Our offer

We offer:

• a fulltime position for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2.901 and €3.707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr E. Worrell at E.Worrelluu.nl or Dr Wina Crijns-Graus at W.H.J.Grausuu.nl .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ’apply now’ button.

The application deadline is 25 August 2025.

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