Three PostDocs or Scientists responsible for advancing the SSbD framework (80 - 100% each)

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.

In line with Empa’s mission, the Technology and Society Laboratory (TSL) creates and transfers knowledge to support the transformation to a more sustainability society. In particular, TSL analyses novel materials and emerging technology applications with a focus on associated material and energy stocks and flows, and evaluates them with regard to both natural environment and societal constraints.

Your tasks

Within TSL, the Advancing Life Cycle Assessment Group (ALCA) and the Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Group (ERAM) are looking for three Postdocs or Scientists.

Two positions are related to the HORIZON Europe project 'Safe and sustainable by design: integrated approaches for Impact assessment of advanced materials' (SUNRISE). SUNRISE has the aim to develop an overarching Integrated Impact Assessment Framework to support SSbD decision making along all lifecycle stages and value chains of advanced materials and products. The first of the two positions will be about developing material flow and release models for advanced materials at different stages of the innovation, while the second position will focus on developing (quantitative) life cycle (impact) assessment approaches for advanced materials at different stages of the innovation.

The third position is related to the HORIZON Europe project 'Provision of Integrated Computational Approaches Addressing New Markets Goals for the Introduction of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Chemicals and Material' (PINK). The aim of PINK is to provide an innovative modelling software and integrated workflows for the development of Advanced Materials and Chemicals, implementing the SSbD Framework as an industry-ready open innovation platform. In this context, the third position will be about developing exploratory and prospective LCA approaches within step 4 of the SSbD framework and applying them to two case studies.

Your profile

• PhD in environmental/natural sciences, computer sciences, or engineering 
• Experience with life cycle assessment (LCA), material flow analysis, sustainability assessment or risk assessment 
• Preferably experience with advanced materials / nanomaterials 
• Willingness to work closely and cooperate actively in a larger team 
• Proven track record in scientific writing and publishing 
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (both written and oral)

Our offer

We offer a stimulating academic environment in a laboratory with more than 40 scientists dedicat-ed to sustainability transformation. All three positions are initially limited to 24 months with potential for prolongation. All positions are available immediately but the starting date can be negotiated. The working place is St. Gallen.

Both Group leaders Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack and Dr. Roland Hischier are happy to answer your questions.

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.

SarahStüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner