Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on Design of Microalloyed Green Steels

About the Project

Host: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University

Location: Clayton campus, Melbourne, Australia

Duration: 3.5 years, full time

Supervisors: Professor Chris Hutchinson (christopher.hutchinson@monash.edu) and Dr Yuxiang Wu (yuxiang.wu@monash.edu)

Start: First half of 2026

Stipend: AUD 37,145 per annum, tax free (2026 rate)

Project overview

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to work on an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded project on the design of new microalloyed steels with elevated nitrogen contents. This work is motivated by the desire for the steel industry to move away from the blast furnace and make much more use of the electric-arc furnace for steel fabrication. The latter leads to elevated nitrogen levels and this provides an opportunity for the design of new microalloyed steels particularly suited for this purpose. This project is in collaboration with a French industrial partner and will involve close interactions with the industrial research team.

You will join the Metallurgy and Corrosion Research Cluster in a collaborative environment combining experimental studies, and computational modelling to:

• Understand the effect of elevated nitrogen on the formation of microalloyed precipitates
• Design new microalloyed steels to take advantage of elevated nitrogen contents

Monash University hosts a unique suite of characterisation facilities, including advanced electron microscopy, in situ analytical tools, and high-temperature testing systems.

Candidate profile

Applications are invited from candidates with backgrounds in one or more of the following: Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines.

You should demonstrate:

• Strong interest in the thermodynamics and kinetics of solid-state phase transformations.
• Enthusiasm for applying modelling approaches and advanced microscopy techniques.
• Capacity for independent, self-motivated research.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Your application will be viewed favourably if you:

• Graduated in the top 10% of your cohort.
• Graduated from a well-ranked university.
• Have authored peer-reviewed publications.
• Possess excellent written and spoken English.

Note: Applicants who already hold a PhD degree will not be considered.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet Monash PhD entry and English language requirements.

• PhD minimum entry requirements: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/faqs-and-resources/content/chapter-two/2-1
• English language requirements: https://www.monash.edu/graduate-research/faqs-and-resources/content/chapter-two/2-2
• Course information: https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/2020/engineering-3291

Funding

This is a fully funded PhD project.

Scholarships are also available for both domestic and international applicants. Applicants may be Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents, New Zealand citizens, or international candidates holding or eligible to obtain a valid student visa. Scholarship is attached to the project and subject to Monash eligibility and competitive selection. In the case of international applicants, the successful candidate must be able to obtain an Australian visa within 6 months of applying.

How to apply

Instructions on applying for a PhD with Monash Engineering: https://www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/graduate-research/how-to-apply

1. Check eligibility
2. Review the PhD entry and English language requirements linked above.
3. Contact the supervisors
4. Email Prof Christopher Hutchinson (crh@monash.edu) with your CV and academic transcript to discuss the project and obtain supervisor support. Supervisor endorsement is required before submitting an Expression of Interest.
5. Submit an Expression of Interest
6. Complete the Expression of Interest form:
   https://service.eng.monash.edu/servicedesk/customer/portal/6/group/7/create/73
7. Submitting an Expression of Interest is not a formal application.
8. Invitation to Apply
9. If the project fit is confirmed and resources are available, you will receive an Invitation to Apply. Upload this invitation with your formal application.
10. Lodge the formal application
11. Submit your application via the Monash online portal:
    https://myapp.monash.edu/s/

Full position details:
https://careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/job/685997/doctor-of-philosophy-phd-on-phase-transformations-in-advanced-steel-design

Enquiries

• Project enquiries: Prof Christopher Hutchinson (crh@monash.edu)
• General graduate research enquiries: Graduate Research Office — eng-gradresearch@monash.edu
• Faculty PhD information: https://www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/phd

Keywords

Materials science; metallurgy; steel; phase transformations; precipitation; thermodynamics; kinetics; in situ microscopy; alloy design; computational modelling.