Researcher in Environmental an Energy Systems Studies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description The Faculty of Engineering is looking for a researcher within Environmental and Energy Systems Studies on primarily new biobased production systems for polymers and platform chemicals but also other new industrial processes.

The position will be financed partly by research grants from the MISTRA programme STEPS and partly with faculty funding. The focus is on resource efficient use of locally available biomass as industrial raw material, and evaluation of cost-efficient green processes and technologies with minimal environmental impact. The position involves development of lice cycle analysis (LCA) for new products, processes and concepts for polymers and platform chemicals.

The research will be conducted in close cooperation with the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Division of Biotechnology and Lund University, and together with the companies involved in the STEPS programme.

Work duties In the work duties the main task is to conduct research. Teaching can be part of the work duties, but at most 20% of the working time. Within the position there is an opportunity to take courses in university pedagogics or other comptence development.

The work duties include:

• Sustainability evaluations of polymers, chemicals and materials based on biomass or recycled materials.
• Understanding and development of calculation models, including LCA for system studies that involve technology, energy, environment and costs.
• Understanding and interpretation of current and future policies and instruments at national and EU level with connections to a more biobased and circular economy.
• Cooperation and communication with other researchers, industry partners and society in the above mentioned areas.
• Publication of research results in the above mentioned areas.

The research is conducted in close cooperation with researchers at the Faculty of Engineering, and with external partners.

Qualification requirements Applicants must have:

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within the subject of the position.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented experience of life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis (LCA) in and after the PhD studies.
• Documented experience of practical chemical technical and/or biotechnical work connected to the development of green technology and biobased products, within the PhD studies.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications On selection of the applicant the following criteria will also be considered:

• Experience of interdisciplinary studies of biobased polymers, chemical and material production systems, with a focus on conversion routes and uses for biomass.
• Experience of system studies of green chemistry and conversion technologies with focus on environmental impact, particularly climate impact.
• Experience of tools for life cycle analysis and databeses for life cycle inventory, e.g. SimaPro and Ecoinvent.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment Fixed term employment, 100 %, 12 months.

Instructions on how to apply Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into PDF-files containing:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• Contact information of at least two references,
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.