Empa

Postdoc or scientist in the field of secondary raw materials for the energy and digital transitions (80 - 100%)

St. Gallen, Switzerland

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Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Stabilizing the climate requires an urgent transition to renewable energy systems, inducing a large increase in material demand. Additionally, the ongoing digitalization of our societies competes for similar materials, increasing the pressure on global supply chains. The availability and accessibility of secondary raw materials, as well as implementing circular strategies such as reuse or refurbishment, can help to reduce supply bottlenecks and thus accelerate the transition.

In this context, our Technology and Society Laboratory (TSL) is looking for a highly motivated Postdoc or Scientist to analyse the potential of secondary raw materials and its systemic implications on the green and digital transition. TSL is dedicated to creating and transferring knowledge supporting the transformation to a sustainable society within planetary boundaries by analyzing and evaluating novel materials and technologies from a circularity, life cycle impacts and safety perspective, and by providing guidance for designing more sustainable materials, technologies and systems.

Postdoc or scientist in the field of secondary raw materials for the energy and digital transitions (80 - 100%)

Your tasks

Map the potential of secondary raw materials available in the urban mine by characterizing stocks in terms of quantity, quality, and locality
Contribute to the collection, updating, and consolidation of data required to assess the secondary raw materials potential and characterise stocks and flows e.g. of end-of-life vehicles, waste batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment
Develop a model to investigate the potential dynamic supply of secondary raw materials based on future sources and technologies and explore the possible effects on the transition pathways
Coordinate and further develop conceptual frameworks and methods to harmonize datasets for secondary raw material stocks and flows
Coordinate and manage Empa's contribution to two Horizon Europe projects on this topic

Your profile

PhD in environmental engineering, industrial ecology or similar
Experience in modelling and evaluating the socio-economic metabolism, for example with material flow analysis or life cycle assessment
Knowledge and experience in waste treatment and recycling processes and technologies
Experience in scientific writing and publishing
Excellent communication and collaboration skills and fluency in English (both written and oral)

Our offer
We offer a stimulating academic environment in a laboratory with nearly 50 scientists dedicated to sustainability transformations. The position will initially be limited to 2 years, with an option for prolongation. Expected starting date is November 1, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The working place will be St. Gallen.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.