PhD Student in Mineral Processing

Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of nearly SEK 2.1 billion per year. We currently have 1,900 employees and 18,700 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

Subject Description

Mineral Processing deals with the unit operations and processes for treating particulate solids, primarily metal ores, industrial minerals and solid fuels, but also residues and recyclable waste material as well as products from the processing industry.

Project Description

We are looking for a PhD student in Mineral Processing. As a PhD student, you will be part of an established international research group to work on a new research project, the optimization of comminution circuits based on the ore’s mineralogical and textural properties.

Ore comminution is facing growing challenges due to ever more complex ores that increase the deposits’ variation of grinding properties, risks of extensive fines generation, increasing productivity and resource efficiency requirements as well as constraints arising from downstream processing. Concepts involve alternative grinding technologies, selective grinding as well as staged separation and comminution for early rejection of gangue. Anyhow, applicability and efficiency of these concepts depend very much on the ores’ properties.

The project is a collaboration project between Luleå University of Technology and the mining company Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB). The aim is to develop and optimize comminution circuits for iron oxide ores of varying quality and mineral associations. Research will focus on process design and analysis with a strong emphasis on ore characterization. At a later stage, predictive models for size reduction and mineral liberation shall be developed.

Duties

This PhD student position involves both theoretical and experimental work. As a researcher, you often act as a neutral party, which provides a great opportunity to develop your skills in running complex development projects, while collaborating with colleagues in related projects and with the industrial partner LKAB. You will learn to write scientific articles and present your research results at both national and international conferences. Furthermore, you will study both compulsory and optional doctoral courses and be part of the department's researcher school.

The project involves the following tasks:

• Characterizing different feed ores with respect to grindability and mineralogical and ore textural properties, as well as correlating ore texture and mineralogy with comminution behavior, energy consumption, and fines generation.
• Assessing limitations in existing installed circuits and quantify performance variations linked to the composition of the feed ores, as well as analyzing the effects on product quality and downstream processes such as flotation and pelletizing.
• Benchmarking the performance of modern grinding technologies with a focus on selective comminution and early separation of gangue.
• Developing predictive models that link ore texture to grinding efficiency and liberation to support design of future flowsheets.
• Scientific writing, data analysis, and dissemination of research results in journals and conferences as well as reporting within the project.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must have a master's degree (120 ECTS) in mineral processing, natural resource engineering or equivalent. You are expected to have a solid education in mineral processing (theoretical knowledge and experimental experience of various beneficiation methods) and mineralogical characterization, as well as numerical skills. You must have good knowledge of English, both spoken and written. Swedish language proficiency is seen as a strong merit.

For further information about the researcher education within the subject Mineral Processing see General syllabus for doctoral (third-cycle) studies in Mineral Processing (https://www.ltu.se/edu/utbildningar/3-cykeln/mineralbearbetning).

Further Information

Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting date: As agreed but as soon as possible.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Associate Professor Mehdi Parian, (+46) 920-49 2556, [email protected]
Senior Lecturer Cecilia Lund, (+46) 920-49 2332, [email protected]
Professor Jan Rosenkranz, (+46) 920-49 2183, [email protected]

Union Representatives:

SACO-S Diana Chroneer, (+46) 920-49 2037 [email protected]
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46) 920-49 1721 [email protected]

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application

We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: February 8, 2026
Reference number: 375-2026