MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship: Call for Postdoctoral Candidates 2026

Research Group

The research will be carried out within the MATERALIA Group at CENIM, a leading Spanish and internationally recognized team for its expertise in phase transformations in steels. The group is composed of 21 researchers, including 8 senior scientists, and is widely acknowledged for advancing the understanding of processing–microstructure–property relationships, a key foundation for next-generation steel design.

Within this environment, the MSCA fellow will join a new research line focused on integrating circular economy principles into steel development. The objective is to design metallurgical strategies and microstructural control routes that enable the upcycling of scrap-based steels into high-quality Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) for automotive applications. This directly addresses the challenge of maintaining performance while increasing recycled content.

The work is framed within the Horizon Europe CiSMA project, which tackles barriers to circular steel production, particularly the presence of residual (tramp) elements in scrap. While CiSMA focuses on refining contaminated liquid steel and developing digital tools for process optimization, this project addresses a key scientific gap: understanding how residual elements affect processing–microstructure–property relationships in advanced steels.

The project combines advanced characterization, thermodynamic and kinetic modelling, and metallurgical design to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of residual elements. The aim is to support a transition toward a “metallurgy of complex alloys,” where compositional variability is managed rather than avoided.

Strong industrial collaboration enhances the impact of the research. MATERALIA has extensive experience in developing advanced steels, including nanostructured bainitic grades, demonstrating effective transfer of scientific knowledge to industry. Overall, the project supports the development of a circular and climate-neutral steel industry.

Supervisor

Carlos Capdevila-Montes obtained his PhD in Physics from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1999 and is Research Professor at CENIM-CSIC, where he served as Director (2021–2025) and is now Deputy Director for Science. His research focuses on phase transformations in steels, microstructural characterization, and modelling of mechanical properties using thermodynamic and kinetic approaches.

He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge (1998–2001) under Prof. H. K. D. H. Bhadeshia, working on heat-resistant steels for energy applications. Since joining CENIM in 2002, he has led research on advanced steels for extreme conditions, combining alloy design, nanoparticle dispersion, and thermomechanical processing.

He has coordinated 6 projects, led 8 as principal investigator, and participated in 15 more. His work includes development of 9–12Cr steels and FeCrAl alloys, with strong industrial collaboration through 44 contracts. He has also contributed to additive manufacturing initiatives and co-founded the CSIC PTI-FAB3D platform.

He has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students and delivered over 70 outreach seminars. His current research focuses on steel decarbonisation, including hydrogen-based processes and the European CiSMA project aimed at enabling near-100% scrap-based steel production in electric arc furnaces.

Research Topics (indicative)

Candidates are encouraged to propose innovative MSCA projects aligned with or complementary to the group’s expertise, including:

-   Thermodynamic and kinetic simulation of scrap-related impurity effects

-   Contaminants in scrap: origin, removal, and effects on steel quality

-   Impurity-tolerant process and microstructure design

-   Additive manufacturing and novel processing routes

-   Design of crossover, broadband, and multipurpose steels more scrap compatible.

Interdisciplinary proposals are particularly welcome.

Candidate Profile

Applicants must comply with MSCA PF eligibility criteria:

-   PhD degree at the call deadline

-   Maximum of 8 years of research experience (post-PhD)

-   Compliance with MSCA mobility rule

-   Strong publication record and scientific independence

-   Interest in collaborative and interdisciplinary research 

What We Offer

-   Full support in proposal preparation and project design

-   Integration into a highly recognized research group

-   Access to advanced characterization and modelling capabilities

-   Strong academic–industry interaction environment

-   Career development and training within MSCA framework

MSCA fellowships provide:

-   Competitive salary (including mobility/family allowances)

-   Research, training, and networking budget

-   International mobility and career development opportunities

-   Application Procedure

Interested candidates should send:

CV (including publications) Short research proposal (1–2 pages) Motivation letter