Doctoral student (licentiate) in Pyro- and Hydrometallurgical Processing

Role: Doctoral student (licentiate) in Pyro- and Hydrometallurgical Processing
Organization: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time
Application Deadline: 13 Jun 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Job Overview
The project aims at investigating technology metals recovery from currently overlooked raw material sources, with the aim to improve European competences and independency in critical raw materials refining. The focus is on hydrometallurgical extraction of target elements from underutilized raw materials such as currently non-refined primary resources (e.g. crust) as well as industrial side streams, dusts, slags, end-of-life products, and tailings. Challenges related to new raw materials and fundamental reactions and behavior in refining processes are addressed using experimental methods, e.g. leaching, solid/liquid separation, and selective precipitation. High-temperature processes can also be explored when applicable to boost kinetics. In parallel, analysis of solutions (e.g. AAS, ICP) and solids (e.g. SEM-EDS, XRD) are carried out to identify mineralogy, chemistry, and time-dependent behavior. The role includes material characterization, experimental laboratory work, and critical analysis of scientific literature and experimental data. Collaboration with research and industrial partners, as well as travel within Europe, is included. You will work closely with researchers in Europe, particularly at Aalto University.

Responsibilities
- Conduct material characterization and experimental laboratory work.
- Perform critical analysis of scientific literature and experimental data.
- Investigate hydrometallurgical extraction of target elements from underutilized raw materials.
- Address challenges related to new raw materials and fundamental reactions in refining processes using experimental methods (leaching, solid/liquid separation, selective precipitation) and potentially high-temperature processes.
- Analyze solutions (e.g., AAS, ICP) and solids (e.g., SEM-EDS, XRD) to identify mineralogy, chemistry, and time-dependent behavior.
- Collaborate with research and industrial partners.
- Travel within Europe for collaboration purposes.

Requirements and Qualifications
Admission Requirements:
- Basic eligibility for postgraduate education according to Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, which includes one of the following:
- Passed a second cycle degree (e.g., master's degree).
- Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits.
- Acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge.
- Master's degree in materials science or metallurgy.
- Mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection Criteria:
- Goal-oriented and persevering in work.
- Ability to independently pursue work.
- Ability to collaborate with others.
- Professional approach and ability to analyze and work with complex issues.
- Knowledge of material science and metallurgy.
- Experimental and computational skills.
- Personal skills are given great emphasis after qualification requirements are met.

What They Offer
- Employment as a doctoral student with a monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
- Workplace with many employee benefits.
- Opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment at a leading international technical university.
- Good working conditions and attractive benefits.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and equal opportunities.
- Target degree: Licentiate degree.
- Employment length: For studies completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.
- Limited extent (maximum 20%) to perform certain tasks within the role, e.g., training and administration.

Contact
Björn Glaser, bjoerng@kth.se