PhD student for LCA of vehicle and electricity systems interaction

Information about the division and the project
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.

You will take part in a project that will explore the interaction between vehicles and external electricity systems, commonly referred to as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) or more broadly, vehicle-to-x (V2X), and assess how this interaction leads to shift in the environmental impact of these interconncected systems. This includes applying life cycle assessment (LCA) and investigating feasible technical design solutions with focus on power electronics and batteries. Another aim is to investigate how selections in the assessment methodology influence the results, e.g., the role system boundaries, functions included and allocation problems. The project is funded by the Swedish Electromobility Centre and involves an in-depth collaboration with Volvo Cars, who will also be directly involved in the supervision. Consequently, knowledge transfer between industry and academica is an important part of the project.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student your will have a responsibility to pursue your own doctoral studies within the area of environmental systems analysis as well as to study doctoral courses. You are expected to work independently, have the ability to plan and organize your work, work in close collaboration with other researchers and partner industries, and to 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. However, since there are also teaching obligations, the position is expected to be five years in total.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Industrial Ecology or similar, and conducted your master thesis project within the area of environmental systems analysis. You have good knowledge about the technology of electrified vehicles, and your communication skills in English (written and spoken) are excellent.

Preferably, you have experience of work in an interdisciplinary setting, bridging detailed technical knowledge with environmental systems studies. 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. You should also have the ability to closely with industry, i.e. previous work in industry is a merit. Experience of teaching at university level is a merit. Communication skills in Swedish is a benefit.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five 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 20220587 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

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. 

Application deadline: 2022-12-11

For questions, please contact:
Dr. Anders Nordelöf, Environmental Systems Analysis
Email: anders.nordelof@chalmers.se
Phone: 031 772 86 11

Associate Professor Hans Hellsmark, Environmental Systems Analysis
Email: hans.hellsmark@chalmers.se
Phone: 031-772 81 60



*** 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!