Two PhD positions in Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy

Here you have the opportunity to work in one of the world leading academic places in the field of Life Cycle Assessment and Circular Economy in the Built Environment. We are offering an inspiring work environment with a mixture of PhD students, Postdocs and senior researchers with different educational as well as cultural backgrounds.

Information about the research projects
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has become the standard for environmental performance assessment of buildings. However, it currently has its limitations in regards to reuse and recycling of building materials as well as plastic packaging materials. Different strategies for Circular Economy (CE) have been developed in recent years. Currently, a clear and commonly accepted definition is lacking, making a quantitative assessment difficult. We are now recruiting two PhD students for work in new projects starting early 2022 financed by Formas.

The first PhD project aims to structure, harmonize, and combine LCA and CE for the application of new buildings. The methodological approach is based on a structured literature review which is complemented by analysis of real building case studies. The application of common CE strategies to these case studies and assessment through LCA will allow reliable quantification of the environmental benefits and provide guidance for practitioners.

The second PhD project aims to improve resource efficiency of plastic circularity in construction that is currently hampered by five divides that illustrate fragmentation and a lack of holistic perspective in the value chain; information, materials, actors, analytics, and market/services. Through a co-creative research design that engages key actors in the value chain, methods to assess gains of improve resource-efficiency of solutions are developed and prototypes are proposed for optimizing the life cycle-wide management of plastic in the construction industry.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student, your major responsibility and task is to carry out the doctoral project described above. This means that you will develop a theoretical frame based on reviews of relevant literatures, articulate targeted problem formulations, select appropriate methodology and methods, collect data, and systematically and critically analyze the findings from your studies. During this PhD journey, you will be embedded in a larger team, comprising your supervisors as well as collaborators in business and public authorities. Nevertheless, you are expected to develop your own scientific constructs and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, demonstrating your capabilities of progressively becoming an independent researcher. The position may include teaching or other departmental duties up to a maximum of 20%.

Contract terms
You will be employed by Chalmers on a full-time temporary contract. The employment is limited to four years' effective time on the PhD project, plus additional time spent on teaching and other departmental duties up to a maximum of five years. The employment is tied to successful progress of the doctoral project, as evaluated throughout the project.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher-education credits in Engineering with relevant courses in Life Cycle Assessment and/or Circular Economy. The position requires advanced expertise on LCA and the proven application of at least one LCA tool, e.g. OpenLCA, SimaPro, GaBi, circular economy and collaboration skills. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English and knowledge of Swedish knowledge is beneficial. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers also offers Swedish courses.

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 20210577 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.

Learn more and apply on Chalmers website: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10049&rmlang=UK

Application deadline: 16 January, 2022

*** 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!