The Danish Hydrocarbon Research and Technology Centre (Centre for Oil and Gas – DTU), Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applicants for two PhD positions in stainless steels for offshore oil and gas applications.
Centre for Oil and Gas – DTU is established by the Danish Underground Consortium and DTU. The centre has received a starting grant of DKK 1 billion for a 10-year period and relies on close interaction between Academia and industry. As part of the National Strategy on Oil and Gas, the research centre is an ambitious, targeted effort to enable increased recovery of oil and gas from the Danish North Sea. The goal will be achieved by cooperation with the industry and other research institutions to further progress knowledge and solutions with application potential, and by contributing to research-based teaching programs.
Responsibilities and tasks
PhD I: Improving the wear- and corrosion resistance of high-performance stainless steel by interstitial alloying
High performance stainless steels are the materials of choice for oil and gas applications where severe environments of corrosion are encountered. The present project aims to investigate how corrosion and wear properties can be improved by interstitial surface alloying with nitrogen. The proposed working hypothesis is that higher nitrogen contents will significantly improve corrosion resistance and simultaneously impart the materials with vastly improved wear properties - far beyond the performance of existing stainless steel alloys.
PhD II: Supermartensitic stainless steels for oil and gas applications
In the oil and gas sector supermartensitic stainless steels (SMSS) can be a low cost alternative to highly alloyed (super) duplex and superaustenitic stainless steels or Ni-base alloys due to their very high strength and excellent fatigue and wear resistance. The excellent strength and toughness properties are obtained through relatively complex microstructure transformations. The working hypothesis for the proposed project is that improved understanding and modeling of the microstructure formation during heat treatment and welding of SMSS may enable model-based alloy design to further optimize steel composition, heat treatment and welding conditions.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. Good knowledge of Metallurgy, Materials Science and Engineering, Physical Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering is a fundamental requirement.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Marcel A.J. Somers according to the abovementioned qualification requirements.
We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. DTU is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. The place of work is DTU Lyngby campus.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Marcel A.J. Somers, somers@mek.dtu.dk,+45 4525 2250.
You can read more about the centre on oilgas.dtu.dk.
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 29 March 2015.Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (an official translation into English)
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline : 29 March 2015