Sweden: PhD student position in Transforming the Industrial Ecology of Critical Materials

Deadline: 31 Jan. 2013

Information about the division
Chalmers University of Technology performs research and education broadly within technology, natural science and architecture. Currently, Chalmers has approximately 11 000 students and 2 400 employees. The announced position is placed at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA) at the Department of Energy and Environment (E&E).

Job description
The development and diffusion of modern and efficient recycling practices is crucial for securing sustainable resource supply, now and in the long run. The challenge of establishing efficient recycling is particularly large for complex products such as vehicles and electronic products. Today, recycling of complex products is largely focused on bulk material flows and valuable minor materials are lost, partially or completely. Realizing efficient recycling is especially important for securing availability of critical materials and for mitigating environmental impacts of materials down cycling and dispersion.

Qualifications
The project is multidisciplinary in nature why candidates from a variety of backgrounds are of interest. Candidates with a Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering, e.g. mechanical, environmental or industrial, will be considered. A multidisciplinary background is an advantage. Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge in at least two of the following areas:

• Industrial ecology, including flow modelling such as Life Cycle Assessment or Material/Substance Flow Analysis
• Engineering and production systems, e.g. with focus on vehicles and electronics
• End of life product management
• Industrial economics, innovation and socio-technical change

Applicants should be capable of working independently, but enjoy collaboration with other people and have strong analytical capabilities. Very good knowledge of English is required and the applicant should be able to communicate scientific results in oral and in written form. The applicant is expected to learn Swedish within a few years.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20120450 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

1. Application: (Please name the uploaded document in ReachMee as: APPLICATION, family name, ref. number)
   - CV,
   - attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents, English language test, e.g. TOEFL score,
   - letters of recommendation from academic institutions and/or previous employers (optional),
2. A letter of application detailing your specific qualifications for the position (named: QUALIFICATIONS, family name, ref. number)
   - maximum one A4 page
3. Publications: (named: PUBLICATION, family name, ref. number)
   - relevant work such as bachelor's or master's thesis (or outline of a thesis under preparation).

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

Application deadline: 2013-01-31

For questions, please contact:
Assistant Professor Maria Ljunggren Söderman, +46 (0)31 772 2132, email: maria.ljunggren@chalmers.se
Professor Björn Sandén, +46 (0)31 772 8612, email: bjorn.sanden@chalmers.se
Head of Division Anne-Marie Tillman, +46 (0)31 772 2122, email: anne-marie.tillman@chalmers.se
Head of Department Henriette Söderberg, +46 (0)31 772 3581, email: henriette.soderberg@chalmers.se
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.