PhD student for LCA of new battery chemistries

Information about the division and the research
The Division of Environmental Systems Analysis conducts research to assess environmental impact of technological change and to explore ways to transform technical systems to better meet environmental and resource constraints. Our research requires cross- and transdisciplinary efforts combining environmental assessment, such as life cycle assessment, with approaches from social science, such as innovation system and transition studies. Stakeholders are often engaged in our research. The division has around 35 staff members, faculty and PhD-students with diverse expertise, including engineers, natural and social scientists. We also offer courses in areas related to our research.

Current lithium-ion battery technology suffers from the use of several geochemically scarce metals with associated environmental challenges. This project will therefore investigate the environmental and resource performance of three future battery chemistries. The over-arching question is: Are there new battery chemistries that can deliver adequate performance and notably reduce the use of scarce metals and environmental impacts in comparison with current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries? To partly answer this question, life cycle assessments (LCA) will be conducted for two of the most promising future chemistries: lithium-sulfur and all-solid-state batteries. An additional new battery chemistry will be selected and assessed during the project and all new chemistries will be compared to current lithium-ion batteries. The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and involves collaboration with battery researchers.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student you will have a responsibility to pursue your own doctoral studies within the area of environmental systems analysis as well as to undertake doctoral courses. You are expected to work independently, have the ability to plan and organize your work but also work in close collaboration with other researchers and partner industries. You should be able to communicate scientific results, both orally and in written form, in English. In addition to research and coursework, you are expected to take part in seminars and conferences, both national and international. The doctoral program is supposed to lead to the doctoral degree, equivalent to four years of full-time studies. Since there are also teaching obligations, the position is expected to be five years long.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
You have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Industrial Ecology or similar, and preferably conducted your master thesis project on life cycle assessment or a similar area within environmental systems analysis. Preferably, you have experience of working in an interdisciplinary setting, bridging detailed technical knowledge with environmental systems studies, and your communication skills in English (written and spoken) are excellent. Experience of work in academic research, especially LCA work in practice in the form of data collection and hands-on modelling work, is a strong merit. Communication skills in Swedish is a benefit and so is experience from working with, or having knowledge about, batteries and battery chemistries.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200274 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• 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 experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 August, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor Rickard Arvidsson, Environmental Systems Analysis
Email: rickard.arvidsson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7722161

Associate Professor Hans Hellsmark, Environmental Systems Analysis
E-mail: hans.hellsmark@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7728160

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!