Postdoc Researcher on the Development of Sustainable Medium Manganese Steels

Novel sustainable high-quality medium Mn steels

Job description 

Are you ready to shape the future of sustainable heavy industry? Join our European research project, funded by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, focused on developing next-generation medium-Mn steels tailored for advanced manufacturing.

This postdoctoral position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the creation of innovative steel alloys optimized for casting and remanufacturing through Directed Energy Deposition (DED), an additive manufacturing technology. Our ambitious goal: to enable greener, more efficient production methods and dramatically extend the life cycle of critical steel components.

You’ll collaborate with a dynamic consortium of academic and industrial partners, spanning the full manufacturing value chain: from alloy design and feedstock development to casting, DED processing, and final component validation.

Be part of a project that’s driving the circular economy forward and redefining what's possible in material science. If you're passionate about innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact, we want to hear from you.

Job requirements 

We’re seeking a passionate, driven, and forward-thinking researcher ready to make a tangible impact in the field of sustainable materials. If you're excited by the challenge of designing the next generation of steels and working at the forefront of microstructural innovation, this opportunity is for you. The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a PhD in metallurgy, materials science, or a closely related field, with a focus on microstructure development and modelling in metals.
• Bring deep expertise in both experimental microstructural analysis and computational modelling of microstructure evolution in metallic systems.
• Think critically and creatively, with a natural curiosity and strong problem-solving abilities, paired with excellent communication skills to share insights clearly and effectively.
• Have a strong publication record and experience in delivering technical presentations and contributing to scientific discussion, both in academic journals and in collaborative project settings.
• Thrive in a collaborative environment, showing genuine enthusiasm for working in diverse, interdisciplinary teams, spanning academia and industry across international borders.
• Be open to sharing knowledge, including participating in guest lectures and educational activities.
• Demonstrate fluency in English, both written and spoken, with the ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 3 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  . 

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. dr. Maria J. Santofimia. Email: M.J.SantofimiaNavarro@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 27 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Your letter of motivation.

• Your Curriculum Vitae.

• Contact information of two references.

You can address your application to Maria Santofimia Navarro.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Mrs. Anita van Vianen, email: recruitment-me@tudelft.nl.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.