PhD Researcher or Postdoc on Environmental impact assessment of green hydrogen and circular bio-coal from biowaste for steel manufacturing at the Industrial Ecology Department

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The Faculty of Science and Institute of Environmental Sciences CML is looking for a:

PhD Researcher or Postdoc on Environmental impact assessment of green hydrogen and circular bio-coal from biowaste for steel manufacturing at the Industrial Ecology Department
Vacancy number: 22-471

Key responsibilities
Your main responsibility is to carry out research independently and in collaboration with the partners of the H2Steel consortium. The EU-funded consortium H2Steel aims to assess the viability and environmental impacts of Green H2 and circular bio-coal from biowaste technologies for cost-competitive sustainable Steel. The solutions to be assessed aim at supporting the green transition of the European Steel sector, and it is based on a set of promising and innovative technological innovations. The consortium aims to construct biomethane pilot plants to produce green hydrogen (H2) and bio-coal to be used in steel manufacturing while ensuring the valorization of waste streams. The position is based in Leiden with some international travel expected.

The PhD researcher or Postdoc will focus on:
•    Assessment of the environmental impacts of the H2Steel technological innovations for the production and utilization of green H2 and bio-coal using life cycle assessment (LCA).
•    Development and assessment of steel production scenarios and their comparative environmental impacts.
•    Assessment of the contribution of the H2Steel systems to the EU decarbonization objectives. 

Selection Criteria 
For applicants at the PhD researcher level:
•    You hold a master's degree in the field of industrial ecology, environmental sciences or another related fields.
•    You have documented expertise (e.g. master's thesisi) in LCA or other methods from the industrial ecology toolbox (e.g. environmentally-extended input-output analysis (EEIO).
•    Programming skills (e.g. Python or other languages) and an ability to handle large datasets are an advantage. Applicants without these skills should have a strong drive to develop them early in the PhD.
•    You have excellent English language skills in writing and speaking,
•    Experience in the environmental assessment of emerging technologies and systems is a strong advantage.
•    You are intellectually curious, possess good analytical skills, are self-propelled, flexible, and quality conscious and have recorded experience in planning and executing research tasks within a given timeframe.
•    You have excellent social and communication skills and the ability to interact with other researchers, industry and policy actors. 

For applicants at the Postdoc researcher level:
•    You hold a  Ph.D. in industrial ecology, environmental and/or sustainability sciences, engineering, applied economics, or a similar discipline in the field of industrial ecology, environmental sciences or another related fields.
•    You have documented expertise in LCA or other methods from the industrial ecology toolbox (e.g. environmentally-extended input-output analysis (EEIO).
•    Programming skills (e.g. Python or other languages) and an ability to handle large datasets are an advantage.
•    You have excellent English language skills in writing and speaking, and recorded ability of scientific publishing on a high academic level.
•    Experience in the environmental assessment of emerging technologies and systems is a strong advantage.
•    You preferably have some experience of teaching at the university level.
•    You are intellectually curious, possess good analytical skills, are self-propelled, flexible, and quality conscious and have recorded experience in planning and executing research tasks within a given timeframe.
•    You have excellent social and communication skills and the ability to interact with other researchers, industry and policy actors.

Research at our faculty
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.
The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organised in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2800 staff and almost 6000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.
For more information, see  www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science  and  https://workingat.leiden.edu/

Terms and conditions  

PhD
We offer a 1-year position with the possibility of extension to 4 years based on performance. Salary ranges from € 2,541 gross per month in the first year to € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.   

Postdoc
We offer a full-time, 3 year fixed-term contract. Salary ranges from € 2,960 to € 4,670 gross per month (pay scale 10)  in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 

Diversity   
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to dr. Stefano Cucurachi ([email protected] ). 

Applications 
To apply for this vacancy, please send an email to [email protected] . Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number and with a  clear indication of the type of position you are applying for (PhD or postdoc):
•    A CV.
•    A motivation letter.
•    Name and contact details of at least two referees.

Only applications received before 30 September can be considered.

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