Yuxiang Wu

We are seeking a PhD candidate interested in contributing to the development of Australian green ironmaking technologies, as it has direct relevance to analysing low-grade ore during the green metal transition for Australia. This project focuses on understanding and advancing the kinetics of direct reduction ironmaking (using hydrogen) from a materials science perspective. It examines impurity management, microstructure evolution, and high-temperature phase transformations that underpin sustainable metallurgical processes. The candidate will be jointly supervised by Professor Michael Preuss (michael.preuss@monash.edu) and myself (yuxiang.wu@monash.edu), within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Monash University. We are looking for candidates with strong interests in metallurgy, thermodynamics, and the kinetics of solid-state transformations. The candidate will have access to a unique new suite of analytical equipment in engineering, including a dedicated in situ X-ray diffractometer at Monash and synchrotron X-ray facilities at the Australian Synchrotron.

Please email us directly for further project details. A scholarship opportunity is available for this project. Full description: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/job/685999/doctor-of-philosophy-phd-on-australian-green-ironmaking

• Start: January 2026
• Preferred background:
  • Experimental techniques: X-ray/neutron scattering, electron microscopy
  • Fundamentals in phase transformations (metals/oxidation/corrosion, etc.)

We are seeking a PhD candidate with an interest in phase transformations in metallic materials. This project aims to develop a thermodynamic and kinetic framework to understand pattern selection during steel phase transformations, with a particular focus on how chemical composition influences local transformation behaviour. The candidate will be jointly supervised by Professor Chris Hutchinson (christopher.hutchinson@monash.edu) and myself (yuxiang.wu@monash.edu), in collaboration with Baosteel’s Central Research Institute in Shanghai. We are especially interested in candidates with a strong background in metallurgy, particularly in the thermodynamics and kinetics of solid-state phase transformations. Candidates who are keen to combine experimental, computational, and data-driven approaches to study high-temperature phase transformations in situ are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please email us directly for further project details. A scholarship opportunity is available for this project. Full description: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/513/cw/en/job/685997/doctor-of-philosophy-phd-on-phase-transformations-in-advanced-steel-design

• Start: January 2026
• Collaboration: Major Chinese steelmaker / Northeastern University, China
• Preferred background:
  • Experimental techniques: electron microscopy
  • Fundamentals in phase transformations (steels)

We are seeking a PhD candidate to join an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded project on the recycling-oriented design of microalloyed steels for electric-arc furnace processing. The project focuses on how elevated nitrogen levels affect precipitation and microstructure, and on designing steels tailored to high-recycled-content feedstocks. The candidate will be jointly supervised by Professor Chris Hutchinson (christopher.hutchinson@monash.edu) and myself (yuxiang.wu@monash.edu), within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, in collaboration with a French industrial partner. The project combines alloy design, high-temperature experimentation, and advanced characterisation with thermodynamic/kinetic and computational modelling.

Please email us directly for further project details. A scholarship opportunity is available for this project. Full description: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-philosophy-phd-on-design-of-microalloyed-green-steels/?p190633

• Start: First half of 2026
• Collaboration: French industrial partner (industrial research team)
• Preferred background:
  • Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines.
  • Strong interest in the thermodynamics and kinetics of solid-state phase transformations.
  • Experience or enthusiasm for advanced microscopy and/or computational modelling.

PhDs — Expressions of Interest are welcome in our research areas:

• Machine Intelligence
• Green Metal

Undergraduate Students: I regularly host Final Year Projects and Summer Research Students in the same areas.

📧 Please send EOIs to yuxiang.wu@monash.edu