We are looking for a
Internship followed by fully funded PhD – Chemical process engineer (m/f/d)
As a global leader in ironmaking technologies, Paul Wurth is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to decarbonise blast furnace-based iron production. A key pathway towards reducing CO₂ emissions is the increased utilisation of hydrogen within the blast furnace process, enabled through the integration of hydrogen-rich syngas. This syngas can be produced via the reforming of CO₂ and CH₄, using CO₂ recycled from the blast furnace process itself. To unlock the full potential of this circular and low-carbon approach, Paul Wurth is developing a novel dry reforming stove technology. The successful candidate will contribute directly to this strategic innovation by developing and applying a comprehensive numerical model of the process, supporting its transition to full-scale industrial deployment.
During the internship you are expected to get familiar with the topic to prepare for the PhD, mainly doing:
- Literature review and state of the art on reforming research and stoves design best practices.
- Review, improve and document existing in-house tools and models. Revise code to be more readable, more scalable and easier to use.
- Prepare the funding application and PhD research proposal for a planned start in April 2026. Develop a detailed plan for the creation, validation, and utilization of a dry reforming stove numerical model to support design optimization, process
understanding, and scale-up.
During the PhD, you are expected to do the following:
- Independently follow and manage the research required for developing a fully validated dry reforming stove process model.
- Develop, continuously improve and validate the dry reforming stove process model using experimental, pilot-scale and demonstration-scale data to ensure reliable representation of process performance.
- Numerically investigate the influence of operating conditions, feedstock composition and energy sources on syngas quality, process efficiency and operational philosophy through advanced process simulation.
- Optimize the dry reforming stove design by integrating process modelling results, equipment limitations and techno-economic considerations.
- Write publications required for obtaining a PhD according to University standards.
What do we expect?
- MSc in process engineering, chemical engineering, computational sciences, chemistry or related discipline.
- Strong analytical mindset and independent research capability. Critical thinking and problem solver.
- Deep understanding of thermodynamics, numerical methods, chemistry and transport phenomena.
- Proficiency in C++ and/or Python for numerical modelling, algorithm development, and scientific computing.
- Good knowledge of MS Excel. Process simulation software knowledge is a plus.
- Any experience with reactor or furnace design is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English. German, French and Luxembourgish are additional assets.
What do we offer?
- Fully funded PhD by FNR.lu in a diverse team in one of Luxembourg’s leading industrial players.
- Office near the well-connected Luxembourg train station for easy commuting.
- Flexible working hours, telework policy and flexible holiday planning.
Join us in conquering new challenges and be part of our Paul Wurth SMS team #turningmetalsgreen!
Please apply online:
https://careers.paulwurth.com