Postdoc in societal metabolism of critical raw materials
Information about the project and the division
Critical raw materials (CRM) are economically and strategically important for the European Union, but their supply is associated with high risk. Establishing a circular economy of CRM is important for reducing supply risks but requires coherent information on the life cycles of CRM-containing products. To improve the European CRM knowledge base up to 2050, the FutuRaM project, funded by Horizon Europe, will establish a methodology and reporting framework. FutuRaM addresses electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, vehicles, mining waste, slags, construction and demolition waste. The main tasks for the post doc, are to, in collaboration, (1) develop coherent future scenarios and data sets for stocks and flows of CRM, and (2) propose a reporting framework. As part of the team leading the work on vehicles, you will primarily study stocks and flows of CRM in electronics and batteries in cars using dynamic material flow analysis and contribute to suggestions on reporting frameworks.
The position is placed at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA) at the department of Technology Management and Economics. ESA conducts research to find more sustainable technology solutions and ways to transform technological systems to better meet the environmental and resource constraints faced by society. Our work is challenge-driven and cross-disciplinary, with a common systems-based approach. ESA has around 40 members, including engineers, natural and social science researchers. It is a dynamic and inclusive research environment with friendly atmosphere and cutting-edge research and education in multiple areas.
The details of the departmental research may be found here.
Major responsibilities
Your main responsibility is to carry out research independently and in collaboration within FutuRaM. You are responsible for the empirical work on cars, including collecting data, adapting the existing dynamic material flow model, and developing the stock and flow data sets, and contribute to the proposal on reporting framework. You report on the research by writing scientific articles and program reports, communicating within FutuRaM and presenting at seminars and conferences. Around 10 percent of teaching in the field of industrial ecology is included, and you may also engage in supervision. You are expected to enhance your specialist skills related to the topic as well as acquire new ones and develop your network. In sum, there are good opportunities and support for meriting for a senior position in academia. The position is based in Gothenburg with some international travel expected.
Qualifications
You hold a doctoral degree in the field of industrial ecology awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Documented expertise in dynamic material flow analysis is a pre-requisite. You have excellent English language skills in writing and speaking, and recorded ability of scientific publishing on a high academic level. You have some experience of teaching at the university level. Experience in vehicle, criticality and circular economy studies are strong merits. Experience in programming in Python or similar is a merit. Swedish language skills are a merit but not a requirement and Swedish courses are offered.
You are intellectually curious, possess good analytical skills, are self-propelled, flexible, and quality conscious and have recorded experience in planning and executing research tasks within a given timeframe. You have good social and communication skills and the ability to interact with researchers, industry and policy actors.
Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for 2+1 years.
We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220264 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:
CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.
Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus
Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
Application deadline: June 27, 2022
For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor, Maria Ljunggren, Environmental Systems Analysis
maria.ljunggren@chalmers.se
+46 31 772 2132
Associate Professor, Hans Hellsmark, Environmental Systems Analysis
hans.hellsmark@chalmers.se
+46 31 772 8160