PhD Student (f / m / d) Development of soft-sensors connected to particle-based separation models to control flotation processes

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

At the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), innovative technologies for the circular economy are developed to provide and use mineral and metal-bearing raw materials more efficiently and to recycle them in an environmentally friendly way.

The Group Geometallurgy and Particle Based Process Modelling is looking for a PhD Student (f / m / d) Development of soft-sensors connected to particle-based separation models to control flotation processes.

Your tasks

• Develop and implement soft‑sensor concepts for continuous monitoring of ore microstructures along the entire process chain using machine‑learning (ML) techniques and validate soft‑sensor outputs against laboratory reference measurements
• Perform systematic laboratory flotation experiments (varying grinding and flotation conditions); collect and curate high‑frequency time‑series data
• Train particle‑based separation models (PSMs), linking micro‑structural descriptors to flotation performance
• Identify and evaluate online‑measurable proxies (e.g., froth‑camera metrics, X‑ray fluorescence) for ore microstructures; conduct offline µXRF / TIMA analyses to simulate various XRF‑system configurations
• Scale‑up and pilot‑test the developed concepts on a mini‑pilot flotation rig
• Document results and prepare scientific publications, conference presentations and project reports; contribute to the overall project work plan and milestones

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Our offer

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas / transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.

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