EU MSCA doctoral (PhD) position in Materials Engineering with focus on mechanistic study of high corrosion susceptibility of additively manufactured biodegradable Mg and Zn alloys

Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH - Geesthacht

Your tasks

You focus on developing your PhD project Unravelling the high reactivity of PBF-LB manufactured Mg and Zn alloys. Additively manufactured (e.g. by PBF-LB) Mg alloys are often reported to possess higher degradation rates compared to extruded or cast counterparts. Similar effect albeit of lesser extent has been reported for Zn. This is against common expectation that the finer microstructures formed by PBF-LB result in slower degradation. Several explanations proposed so far do not clarify all observed nuances. This project focuses on unravelling the origin of the elevated corrosion rates of AM-built Mg- and Zn-alloys. The work will revolve around micro- and nanoscopic visualization of initial micro-galvanic activity upon metal contact with an aqueous electrolyte. For this, in situ SEM and in situ TEM will be used at HEREON. This will be accompanied by EBSD for ex situ microstructure characterization, X-ray micro- and nano-tomography at DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron/German Electron Synchrotron) and Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (SKPFM) for visualising the distribution of cathodic phases in bulk and on plane, along with integral and localized electrochemical measurements for degradation performance. A range of Mg- and Zn-alloys will be produced at Uppsala Universitet in cooperation with doctoral candidates there, to reveal process-performance correlations and suggest the strategies for reducing corresponding degradation rates. The best performing alloys will be tested in vitro at Hydrumedical using in house-developed flow-through system. The objectives of this work are: i) to unveil the driving force of the micro-galvanic corrosion onset; ii) propose several approaches to reduce the micro-galvanic corrosion; iii) experimentally validate most practical approaches. Research stays are planned at: Uppsala Universitet, Sweden, and Hydrumedical, Braga, Portugal Supervisors: Dr. Sviatlana Lamaka, Prof. Cecilia Persson, Prof. Mikhail Zheludkevich https://www.hereon.de/institutes/surface_science/index.php.en
https://www.uu.se/institution/materialvetenskap/forskning/forskningsavdelningar/medicinsk-teknik/biomaterial-systems

Your profile

To be eligible as a MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) doctoral candidate, you must i) not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, ii) not be enrolled in a doctoral program, and iii) comply with a mobility rule requiring you to not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (Germany) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment (i.e. this includes online activities). Requirements:
Master’s degree and documented experience and knowledge in either of the following: materials science, biomedical engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials engineering, engineering physics, or a related field, or other education considered equivalent to these qualifications. We require good oral and written skills in English. Additional qualifications:
It is advantageous to have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Electron microscopy (environmental TEM and SEM)
• Large data image treatment
• Corrosion characterization
• Local electrochemistry (e.g. SECM and SKPFM)
• Additive manufacturing of metals

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and you work focused to achieve them. In this, you have an ability to focus, even during periods of high workload. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic texts. Your application must include:

• A short cover letter (up to 1 page) in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades.
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to.
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English.

We offer you

PhD students employed through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Curie regulations for doctoral candidates for the time of their fellowship (36 months). Taking into account the living allowance (with the coefficient of 101.2% for Germany), mobility and family allowances (when eligible) and subtracting the employer contributions, the gross salary in Germany is 3719,13 eur/month (or 4233,93 eur/month with family allowance if eligible). Social security contributions and income tax will be deducted from this gross salary before payment of the net salary to the doctoral candidate. This employment is a temporary position. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date March 1st, 2026 or as agreed upon. Placement: Geesthacht (near Hamburg), Germany. For further information about the position, please contact:
Sviatlana Lamaka, +49 41 52 87 2190

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.