The Ecological Systems Design Group at the Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich is an internationally leading research group in the field of modeling, analyzing and improving the resource efficiency and environmental performance of products and processes, new technologies, and consumption patterns from a systems perspective. We offer a friendly and professional working environment, and are inviting applications for the Ph.D. position further described below.
This Ph.D. position is part of the new research project “Clean Cycle – Optimizing Resource Efficiency while Preventing Pollutant Exposure Through Plastics Recycling in Switzerland” co-funded by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), and Zurich Cantonal Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL). The main goal of the project is to assess current and future human risks to pollutants contained in recycled plastics and provide recommendations for future plastic recycling strategies that maximize resource efficiencies with minimized human risks. In your Ph.D. thesis, you will develop a framework for the identification, prioritization and analysis of hazardous chemicals contained in plastic fractions, recycled plastics and plastic recyclables, based on existing and own screening measurements and modeling work. On this basis, you will complete an indepth chemical analysis of target hazardous chemicals in selected plastic fractions, recycled plastics and plastic recyclables to obtain a thorough understanding of hazardous chemicals currently contained in the plastic flows in Switzerland. Finally, together with the Ph.D. student on material flow analysis and design, you will further model the current levels of human exposure to target hazardous chemicals via plastics and associated risks, as well as possible changes in human exposure to hazardous chemicals in response to future recycling scenarios.
An integral part of your work is publishing your results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at international conferences. The work will be carried out in an interdisciplinary team at the Ecological Systems Design Group, in close collaboration with Département de l’environnement, des transports et de
l’agriculture (DETA), Canton Geneva, and Prof. Dr. Martin Scheringer (D-USYS, ETH Zurich). The team will consist of another Ph.D. student and two researchers. The team will work closely with an advisory board of governmental and industrial representatives.
Your qualifications should include a master level university degree in chemistry, environmental sciences or similar studies with excellent grades. A background in environmental or analytical chemistry with experience in organic trace analysis (GC-MS and/or LC-MS) would be highly appreciated. Interest in modeling and programming would be an advantage. Your employment will be contracted according to standard regulations at ETH (funding secured for 3 years). The project will start in March 2018 or upon mutual agreement. You are expected to contribute to the teaching and research activity of the chair up to a maximum of 20% of your working time.
We look forward to receiving your online application including a letter of motivation, CV, diplomas and contact details of two referees. We will start interviewing candidates at the beginning of February. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please note that we exclusively accept
applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
For further information about the Ecological Systems Design Group please visit our website www.esd.ifu.ethz.ch. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Stefanie Hellweg, Hellweg[at]ifu.baug.ethz.ch, Dr. Zhanyun Wang, zhanyun.wang[at]ifu.baug.ethz.ch, or Melanie Haupt,
Haupt[at]ifu.baug.ethz.ch (no applications).