Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Metallurgy of Hydrogen-Based Iron Oxide Reduction

Job No.: 698996

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Graduate Research Degree: 3291 - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Hiring: 2027, flexible by agreement

Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: AUD 41,100 per annum (tax-free stipend) (2027 rate)

Scholarship status: Funded PhD project for domestic and international applicants, subject to Monash eligibility and competitive selection.

Monash Engineering is a leading global centre for research consistently placing highly in international ranking lists. We engage with industry and other world leading institutes to carry out pioneering research that benefits society and changes the world around us. Our world-class researchers are driven by a passion and commitment to leaving a more sustainable legacy for future generations.

We are committed to training the next generation of research leaders through our graduate research degrees. Our students have the opportunity to make an impact and solve real world issues in a stimulating, supportive environment with access to cutting edge facilities.

The Opportunity

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates for PhD study in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering.

Project title: Physical Metallurgy of Hydrogen-Based Iron Oxide Reduction.

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to investigate the physical metallurgy of hydrogen-based iron oxide reduction, with applications to low-carbon and green ironmaking. The project will investigate how phase transformations, reduction pathways and microstructure evolution interact during the conversion of iron oxides to metallic iron.

Particular emphasis will be placed on how temperature, gas atmosphere, starting microstructure and ore chemistry influence reduction kinetics, porosity and the morphology of the resulting iron.



The candidate will combine high-temperature reduction experiments with advanced materials characterisation and modelling.

Techniques may include thermogravimetric analysis, in situ X-ray diffraction, SEM, EBSD, image analysis, thermodynamic calculations and kinetic modelling. The aim is to develop a microstructure-informed physical framework for iron oxide reduction, moving beyond purely empirical descriptions of reduction kinetics.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr Yuxiang Wu ([email protected]) in a multidisciplinary environment spanning physical metallurgy, advanced characterisation, computational modelling and green ironmaking.

Project Details

- Start: 2027, flexible by agreement
- Graduate research degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Location: Clayton campus
- Department: Materials Science and Engineering
- Funded PhD project for domestic and international applicants, subject to Monash eligibility, competitive selection and formal approvals.

Preferred Background

- Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines.
- Strong interest in physical metallurgy, thermodynamics, kinetics and phase transformations.
- Previous experience with phase transformations, SEM/EBSD, XRD, thermal analysis, modelling or scientific programming is desirable.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants will be considered provided they fulfil the criteria for PhD admission at Monash University. Details of the relevant requirements are available at www.monash.edu/engineering/future-students/graduate-research/how-to-apply.

Your application will be looked upon favourably if you:

- Graduated in the top 10% of your year level.
- Graduated from a well ranked university.
- Have authored peer-reviewed research publications.
- Possess excellent written and verbal English skills.

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

Applicants must show robust communication and problem-solving skills and the capacity to conduct independent, quantitative research. They should have either completed, or be in the p

📌 Doctor Of Philosophy (Melbourne)
🏢 Monash
📍 Melbourne