Post-doc in circular economy and sustainability assessment

The Center for Life Cycle Engineering at the Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, invites applications for a two- or three-year postdoc position in circular economy and sustainability assessment. This position is available from 01 August 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job Description

Implementing circular economy practices for plastics, batteries, and biobased side waste streams is crucial to take Europe regions and their citizens to the forefront of climate neutrality and circularity. This post-doc. position is part of the Horizon Europe project TREASoURcE (TERRITORIAL AND REGIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS OF SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS OF KEY VALUE CHAINS AND THEIR REPLICATION TO DEPLOY CIRCULAR ECONOMY) which aims to initiate systemic change by developing systemic circular economy solutions in cities and regions for currently underutilized or unused plastic waste, end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and bio-based waste and side streams. More details of the project can be found on the website https://treasource.eu/.

To obtain maximum synergy between our acquired projects, the position will in addition be affiliated with the food waste quantification and sustainability assessment related tasks in, yet another Horizon Europe project named WASTELESS.

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

SDU Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) conducts unique research in system analysis and systems integration. The research at SDU LCE focuses on Environmental System Analysis, including Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment

(LCA), Energy System Analysis (ESA), Industrial Ecology (IE), and Economic and Socio-Economic Assessment (SEA). By applying and further developing these methods, SDU LCE aims to understand and characterize the sustainability of socio-economic development, including societal infrastructure development, urban development, and the technological development of industrial and agricultural products and systems. SDU LCE actively participates in the international research community of Quantitative Sustainability Assessment and Industrial Ecology and contributes to international sustainable development agendas such as bio-economy and circular economy.

SDU LCE is primarily externally funded and engaged in numerous strategic research projects supported by various sources, including EU projects, national strategic research and innovation projects, private company projects, and NGO projects.

The education and teaching portfolio at SDU LCE covers a broad range of technology and science courses related to these research areas. SDU LCE is responsible for SDU's Master's program in Environmental Engineering and is involved in both the bachelor’s and Master's programs in Energy Technology and Integrated Design and Sustainable Product Development. For more information about LCE, please visit www.SDU.dk/lifecycle.

Qualifications

The successful candidates should have a PhD degree and knowledge of environmental system analysis, industrial ecology, or similar areas such as e.g., life cycle engineering. Previous experience in working on waste quantification (e.g., plastic waste, end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, and/or bio-based waste) and sustainability assessment, or logistic & spatial optimization will be considered an advantage. A good command of analytical expertise and data science is beneficial.

A collaborative mindset, proven track record, as well as the ability to work in an international multidisciplinary environment, will all be considered advantages. Experience in conducting project-funded research and well-developed communication skills is considered core competencies.

Fluency in English is required for this position, and while the ability to communicate in Danish is considered an advantage, it is not a precondition.

Conditions of Employment

Employment will be based on the terms specified in the labor market agreement, and the salary is negotiable.

The position is funded entirely by the Horizon Europe research and innovation program funded project TREASoURcE.

For further information regarding the position, please contact the project manager, Assistant Professor Wu Chen, tel.: +45 52824158 or email: [email protected] or the Head of SDU LCE, Professor MSO Morten Birkved, at tel.: +45 6550 7636 or email: [email protected].

If you experience technical problems you must contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level. Employment as a postdoc is temporary and will cease without further notice at the end of the period.

Research will be predominant in the position. Teaching assignments can be agreed individually. Furthermore, other types of assignments may occur to a limited degree. The Faculty determines the distribution of the various assignments. The weighting of the different assignments may vary over time. The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The assessment process

Read about the Assessment and selection process. Shortlisting may be used.

Application procedure

The faculty expects applicants to read How to apply before applying.

The application must be in English and must include:

Motivated application Detailed Curriculum Vitae Certificates/Diplomas (MSc and PhD) List of publications indicating the publications attached Examples of the most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included.

The application deadline is 01.07.2023

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.