Postdoc in Environmental Assessment of Electromobility Charging Systems

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, including both faculty and PhD-students which are equally distributed in gender and come from different cultural backgrounds. Subject expertise and scientific backgrounds are also wide ranging, including engineers, natural and social scientists. We offer courses in areas related to our research.

The ongoing electrification of road vehicles implies an environmental burden shift from the vehicle’s operation stage to the production of its equipment and to the construction of the supporting infrastructure. Despite this, environmental assessment studies of power electronics and charging technologies are rarely conducted. You will take part in a project funded by the Swedish Electromobility Centre (SEC), a national competence center for electromobility hosted by Chalmers. The aim of the project is to investigate the resource use effects of implementing different types of charging systems, as well as contributions to climate change and other environmental impacts, for (1) stationary charging systems and (2) dynamic charging systems. Furthermore, the "thematic area researcher" position is also specifically connected to the Electromobility in society theme of the SEC, while located at the division of Environmental Systems Analysis.

Major responsibilities
The main responsibility of the postdoctoral thematic area researcher will be to carry out research work independently, as well as in collaboration with colleagues, within the boundaries of the prefined SEC project. Another role is to assist the leaders of the Electromobility in Society theme in SEC by organizing activities such as workshops and seminars and take responsibility for regular communication with industrial and academic partners as well as the central administration of SEC. Hence, you are expected to plan and organize your own work, as well as events for other researchers and partner industries. The project will include travelling, foremost in Sweden, and you are expected to take part in foremost national but also some international seminars and conferences. Commitment and accountability is very important for the role. You will also take part in teaching.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
You hold a PhD in the field of environmental assessment, preferably with a focus on electrified vehicles or charging infrastructure, and you have expertise in life cycle assessment. It is a benefit if you have documented knowledge about the technology of electric propulsion and charging, and you should have high ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting. You are good at interacting and collaborating with industrial stakeholders, i.e. previous work in industry is a merit. 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. Experience of teaching at university level is also a merit. Your communication skills in English (written and spoken) are excellent. Communication skills in Swedish are a benefit. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

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

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200293 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• 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 research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

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

Application deadline: 15 Augusti, 2020

For questions, please contact:
Dr. Anders Nordelöf, Environmental Systems Analysis
E-mail: anders.nordelof@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7728611

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. ***