Research Fellow in EAF Steelmaking (111262-0226)

About the Role

Informal Queries

• For informal queries, please contact Professor Zushu Li at z.li.19@warwick.ac.uk

WMG, a world-renowned department at the University of Warwick, are recruiting a Research Fellow to investigate, through modelling and experiments, the dynamic behaviours of residual elements from various sources in the scrap-based EAF steelmaking route, i.e. from raw materials through charging, smelting and refining to tapping, and recommend potential measures to control the residual elements in liquid steel.

Converting the BF (blast furnace ironmaking)-BOF (basic oxygen furnace steelmaking) to the scrap-based EAF route for steelmaking is attractive to decarbonise the steelmaking process, however, can the scrap-based EAF steelmaking, given the inherent variability of scrap, meet customer requirements for high-quality steel products in a sustainable way?

A central concern to address in this research is how residual elements will behave and impact steel chemistry and overall product quality.

A thorough understanding of the kinetic behaviour of residual elements in scrap-based EAF steelmaking would enable us to control these elements effectively and produce customer-specified products by selecting the appropriate scrap mix and optimising processing conditions.

This enables the realisation of a resilient, circular steel supply chain in the UK and beyond.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop the research framework (a combination of thermodynamic, kinetic and experimental modelling) for investigating the residual element behaviours in the scrap-based EAF steelmaking process and establishing the scrap quality – steelmaking – customer requirements (steel chemistry) link.

This will support the transition of steel industry to the scrap-based EAF steel manufacturing.

This role is funded by IGNITE (https://ignitesteel.ac.uk/), the EPSRC Sustainable Manufacturing Research Hub.

The IGNITE (The Indigenous Green-steel for Net-zero Innovation, Technology & Enterprise) sustainable manufacturing research hub is a £22m 7-year EPSRC research programme.

It provides holistic and sustainable solutions to scientific challenges within the major UK steel manufacturers, their respective supply chains including scrap processors and many manufacturers across multiple business sectors who use and rely on steel.

By adopting a demand led approach, driven by the UK manufacturing sector, the hub will develop novel technologies across 3 grand challenge areas: Sustainable Demand, Resilient Supply and Steel as a Service.

The hub will span across several academic institutions including Swansea (lead), Sheffield, Warwick and Leicester and includes partnership with 5 major UK steel producers, over 33 key manufacturers reliant on steel, and government organisations for development of policy change.

Regular interaction between these partners is key to successfully delivering the IGNITE program.

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the 'Apply' button.

CLOSING DEADLINE: Tuesday, 3rd March 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time).

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