Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department
WMG
Position Type
Fixed Term
Duration
30 Month Fixed Term Contract
Salary
£35,608 to £46,049 per annum
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 (), 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.
About You
You shall have a PhD or EngD in Materials Science and Engineering including Metallurgy, or a relevant discipline.
You should have proven knowledge in the research and development of green steel manufacturing with good understanding of steel scraps and scrap-based EAF steelmaking.
The ideal candidate would have a strong track-record in metallurgical process (thermodynamic, kinetic and experimental) modelling, preferably in steelmaking process modelling.
This role offers the opportunity to conduct both independent and collaborative research, so you should be able to work independently as well as being part of an integrated industry-academia team.
You should also have effective communication skills, written and oral, to enable you to secure external funding through research grants and to publish research outcomes in the appropriate journal, increasing your research portfolio.
You should also contribute to the administrative aspects of the project and ensure the project is delivered on time.
The successful candidate is also expected to collaborate with colleagues (e.g. from industry, academia and government) across disciplines and workstreams in activities that support progress towards IGNITE’s grand challenges and overall objectives.
These could include outreach activities, policy recommendations, task and finish groups and contributions to the development of short reports.
No prior experience in such collaborative or cross-cutting activities is required, but willingness to participate in wider project efforts is expected and valued.
The candidate’s engagement in these activities will support both individual professional development and project success.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About the Department
The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering.
We are globally recognised for our world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award.
Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre .
Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre .
Find out more about our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees here .
About the University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106 th in the world and 8th in the UK. * Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent .**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/ about/ .
* World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.
Your CV should include:
* Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
* Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
Your cover letter should explain:
* Your motivations for applying to the role.
* Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).
All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.
* Interview Date: March 2026
* Start Date: 1st April 2026
Please note a pplication forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.
What we Offer
We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:
* An attractive pension scheme.
* 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
* Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
* Onsite childcare facilities.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here .
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer .
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick .
Find out more about our awards and accreditations .
We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance .
Safeguarding & DBS
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
* Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
* The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
* All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.
Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.
Job Description
JD Research Fellow (111262).pdf - 226KB
Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.