The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive and interdisciplinary research and teaching profiles.
The following fixed-term position (remunerated in accordance with pay scale 13 TV-L, 75%) is available at the Chair of Ecological Resource Technology at the Faculty for Engineering Science, starting as soon as possible:
Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) on Material Flow Analysis of global metal cycles
An increase of the position by up to 25% is conceivable.
The Chair for Ecological Resource Technology focuses on the modelling, simulation, and evaluation of global material cycles. Our research focuses on the use and processing of resources from mining to recycling. Our goal is to create sustainable technical systems for metals and mineral resources. We use industrial ecology methods, particularly raw material criticality assessment, material flow analysis, and life-cycle assessment. Thereby, we evaluate environmental and techno-economic aspects. The research group values interdisciplinary collaboration and offers you a variety of opportunities to participate actively.
The advertised position is embedded in the ERC Starting Grant project "SEMPATHY", in which a novel modelling approach of global and sustainable metal cycles is being researched. Closing material cycles is the central challenge to limit the environmental impact of using metals in the technosphere. The technical lifespan of metals between mining and dissipative losses is just 10 years for half of the metals in the periodic table. In SEMPATHY, the Material Pathway Analysis method will be developed to better model metals across materials, components, products, and waste streams throughout the entire life cycle. In addition, new visualization possibilities for material flows are being researched. Suitable applications for material path analyses include energy technology, electronics, and lightweight construction.
Your responsibilities:
- Development of a data structure to keep a record of material flow compositions, considering the hierarchy of metals, materials, components, products, and scrap
- Research into the global shares of first and final uses of metals in materials, components, and products
- Research into the composition at element and material level of products and scraps
- Collaboration with other researchers in further work packages in the ERC project SEMPATHY
- Independent research is needed to reach the project goals
- Active participation in the research project, coordination and exchange with research partners
- Publication of scientific articles and presentation of results at conferences in English
- Writing of project reports
Your profile:
- Master’s degree with a very good grade in the field of engineering, engineering trades, natural sciences or a related field
- English language skills at least language level C1
- ideally specialization related to critical raw materials, circular economy, recycling, resource efficiency, or comparable sustainability
- ideally experience with metals, mining, metallurgy, or metal recycling
- ideally programming experience with Python or a comparable programming language
- the ability to work independently, a rigorous scientific approach, systematic and analytic thinking, commitment, creativity, and ability to work in a team
- a passion for interdisciplinary and international collaboration and scientific discourse
Our offer:
- We support you in integrating the project's research results into a suitable PhD project in engineering through your independent research work
- We promote your scientific and personal development through intensive cooperation at the Chair and in the research field of Industrial Ecology, international research exchange and through further qualification courses of the UBT Graduate School and the Center for Higher Education Teaching
- Generous travel budget and open access funding for developing one's scientific career
- Concentrate on developing the research profile based on secured project funding in the ERC project
- High quality of life in the city of Bayreuth and the green region of Upper Franconia
- Support with visas and finding accommodation by the Welcome Center of the University of Bayreuth
- The salary is in accordance with the German public service pay scale (TV-L E13, 75%)
- Project funds finance the position, which is, therefore, temporary
The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is explicitly committed to the goal of gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the Best Practice Network "Familie in der Hochschule e.V.", and has successfully participated in the HRK audit "Internationalization of the University". Persons with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified.
Your application
Please apply online with all relevant documents (including a letter of motivation, full Master’s thesis, curriculum vitae, and certificates) via the University of Bayreuth application portal using the keyword “SEMPATHY”. The application deadline is 09.01.2026. The documents will be deleted after the position has been filled, in accordance with data protection requirements.
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Helbig, Professor of Ecological Resource Technology (christoph.helbig@uni-bayreuth.de, +49(0)921/55-7540).