Title:  PhD Position

Institution:  ETH Zurich, http://www.istp.ethz.ch/

Location:  Zurich, Switzerland

Deadline:  No shown

The successful candidate will investigate and assess the supply chains of gold, copper, and lithium. State-of-the-art multi-regional-input-output (MRIO) data will be combined with trade data from various existing data sets to quantify the metal consumption of the Swiss economy and determine the origin of resource extraction. This analysis will be complemented with firm-level surveys, of major importers, users, and traders of copper, gold and lithium. The surveys will help to evaluate where firms obtain their metals/materials from and how this compares to the global trade data. In a next step, the general level of knowledge of companies about their supply chain will be analysed, classifying companies as importers of raw materials, semi-processed, and end-products (e.g. mobile phones). The potential environmental impacts of resource use will be estimated for Swiss consumption and trade of the selected metals using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods. By conducting a global analysis of all mines in a given category, we can compare mines and identify hotspots (location and environmental issues). The potential alternatives in local mining activities and global supply chains will be analysed with a view to environmental improvements. This includes assessment of changes in mining practices, reduced mining (including alternative economic activities), and the impacts caused by changed recycling activities and waste management.

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled candidate with environmental sciences or environmental engineering background, possibly with knowledge on input-output analyses, LCAs, supply chains assessment. Programming knowledge (e.g. R or python) is an advantage. The project is embedded in a larger context requiring interdisciplinary interests and competences (see:https://polybox.ethz.ch/index.php/s/4Q0uFSjTrOpJe9k)

For further information please contact Dr. Stephan Pfister at pfister@ifu.baug.ethz.ch (no applications) and/or visit our website http://www.istp.ethz.ch/

Please submit your application online with attention to: ETH Zurich, Olivier Meyrat, Human Resources, 8092 Zurich, adding a letter of motivation, your CV, diplomas and work certificates as well as a letter of reference and two references. Applications via email will not be considered.