PhD in Enhancing Sustainability in Industry Improved Health and Social Well

The International Society for Industrial Ecology is offering a PhD position focused on enhancing sustainability in industry to improve health and social well-being. The role involves researching strategies like circular economy practices and preventive healthcare to reduce environmental impact and promote public health. Candidates will explore various topics, including sustainable food supply chains and the pharmaceutical industry. The position is based in Enschede, Netherlands.
Position: PhD in Enhancing Sustainability in Industry for Improved Health and Social Well-being
PhD in Enhancing Sustainability in Industry for Improved Health and Social Well-being

JOB DESCRIPTION

It's paramount for industries to prioritise sustainability for the improvement of health and social well-being. Embracing sustainable practices enables companies to decrease their negative impact on the environment, conserve resources, and promote a healthier planet. This not only benefits the environment but also has a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Additionally, sustainable industries can create new job opportunities and contribute to economic growth while safeguarding the planet for future generations.

The objective is to understand how sustainability strategies (including circular economy practices, diffusion of renewable energy technologies, healthy lifestyles, sustainable consumption, etc.) can reshape the future of industry and health systems. In fact, by prioritising sustainable practices in industry, we can reduce pollution and environmental degradation, leading to cleaner air and water for everyone. This, in turn, can improve public health and reduce healthcare costs.

The overarching goal of this PhD position is to investigate and develop prevention and intervention strategies that enhance the sustainability of the health system and social well-being. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of strategies aimed at increasing the sustainability of the health system and achieving a positive impact on Sustainable Development Goal #3, which focuses on good health and social well-being.

This research will explore innovative approaches, including circularity and preventive healthcare practices, to promote sustainability using methods such as system dynamics, big data analytics, agent-based modelling, artificial neural networks, etc.

This project aims to investigate how this innovative perspective could transform various industries, in particular, those that directly influence the health and social well-being of society, including food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and manufacturing, and the collaboration possibilities among these industries. Within this project, the focus can be on one or more of the following topics:
• Sustainable Food Supply Chains for Improved Nutrition: examine the relationship between sustainable food supply chains and health outcomes.
• Diffusion of Preventive Healthcare Practices: investigate the diffusion of preventive healthcare practices within society.
• Circular and Sustainable Industry Sectors: assess the environmental and social impact of industry sectors.
• Circular and Sustainable Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: examine the current pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Circular and Sustainable Health Technology Tools/Devices/Machines: investigate the life cycle of health technology tools, devices, and machines.
• Overall systemic improvement: employ simulation approaches to model and simulate the interactions and interdependencies among the identified strategies.REQUIREMENTS

As a doctoral student, your key responsibility will be to manage and carry out the research project within 48 months and write a PhD thesis. You will participate in research and training activities and disseminate research in the scientific community as well as the non-scientific community by outreach and public engagement.

Furthermore, you will write articles for scientific peer-reviewed journals and progress reports, and prepare results for publication and dissemination via public lectures, presentations, and the web.

You will also be responsible for taking courses per the research education and liaising with the other research staff, students, and partner institutions working in broad areas relevant to the research project.

Participation in other department duties, such as meetings, teaching, etc., is expected to cover a maximum scope of 20%.

Requirements and Qualifications:
• A Master's degree in a relevant field, such as sustainability, public health, psychology, systems engineering, data analytics, industrial engineering, circular economy, artificial intelligence, interactive/persuasive technology, applied mathematics, business…