PhD position Critical material sustainability and energy transition

The International Society for Industrial Ecology is seeking a PhD candidate for a project on critical material sustainability and energy transition in Groningen, Netherlands. The role involves research on the economic, environmental, and social impacts of critical materials in clean energy technologies. Candidates should have a relevant MSc degree, data analysis skills, and a passion for interdisciplinary scientific questions. The position offers a full-time salary structure over four years.
PhD position Critical material sustainability and energy transition

We seek a PhD candidate who is passionate about energy and sustainability scientific problems with a focus on the critical material perspective. The successful candidate will be under the supervision of Prof. Xin Sun, working with colleagues at the Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society group (IREES - https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).), within the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG).

Although the clean energy technologies (e.g., solar & wind power, electric vehicles) are preferable from a decarbonization perspective, their deployment causes a surging demand for critical materials, with increasing concerns about their high supply concentration, negative environmental and social impacts, by-product issues, geopolitical instability, and other unsustainable factors. There is a pressing need to tackle the challenge of coordinating the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the energy-climate-material nexus.

In this context, the proposed PhD project focuses on the demand management solutions to mitigate the critical material impacts of the energy transition. Potential topics include:
• Modeling dynamic demand for critical materials in multiple energy decarbonization and transportation electrification scenarios.
• Identifying the primary technological and societal factors that drive changes in demand patterns for critical materials.
• Developing integrated approaches that simultaneously satisfy energy and mobility requirements while minimizing the need for critical materials and their environmental footprints.

This project would involve methodologies of dynamic material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, integrated assessment model, system dynamics, big data analysis, and design of new approaches for specific themes.

The PhD learning experience includes multidisciplinary data analysis, modeling and empirical research, along with soft skills including teamwork research, high-impact writing, visual & oral presentation, networking, and career development.

Qualifications

We expect you to have:
• A MSc degree in a Science or Engineering discipline, preferably Environmental, Geographical, Geological, Energy, Chemical, Mechanical, or Earth System.
• Proficiency in both writing and oral presentation skills in English.
• A strong team player who works efficiently both independently and collaboratively.
• General data collection, modeling and analytics, and programming skills (R/Python/Matlab); knowledge of artificial intelligence methods is a plus.
• Desirable theoretical and practical expertise in research about critical material, energy transition, climate change or other relevant topics, exemplified by a notable academic track record.
• A passion for scientific questions and interest in interdisciplinary subjects.
• The ability to think critically and systematically.

Organisation

Conditions of employment

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
• A salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
• A full-time position (1.0 FTE).
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
• An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
• A position for four years; first, you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected. A PhD training program is part of the agreement, and you will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Starting date is negotiable and preferably not later than December 2024.

Application

Please provide:
• A one-page cover letter that clearly motivates why you apply for this position.
• The contact details of two to three reference letter writers.

You may apply for this position until 14 April 11:59pm / before 15 April 2024 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the…