PhD scholarship in LCA Modelling of Emerging Waste Management Technologies and Systems

Waste management is expected to  face major changes in the coming years as consumption patterns change, products become more sustainable, resource preservation and circularity gains more focus, and the mitigation of climate change is pushed by citizens and politics. In turn, such changes are expected to challenge the waste management system, for example with potentially different waste amounts and characteristics, the need for new waste management technologies, and different integration of the waste management system with new surrounding systems of products and technologies. Life-cycle-assessment (LCA) has been used extensively in assessing the environmental aspects of waste management systems. We want to extend the application of LCA to better address the above-mentioned huge challenges that waste management faces. LCA can be used as a rehearsing space for determining potential environmental hotspots of emerging technologies, advising directions for sustainable technological development, and raising questions on technological features and alternatives. Key aspects are here changes in waste composition, technologies, recyclability and energy recovery. The PhD scholar will be an important part of a team of researchers at the Department of Environmental Engineering (DTU Environment) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) that works with waste management and LCA in a broad technical and political context, including new developments in technologies, uncertainty and robustness assessment and future scenarios.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Planning for the future is difficult, but even more needed when very dynamic developments are expected. Modeling can help here by forcing us to be explicit about assumptions and data, but the large uncertainty both in foreground systems (the waste management) and in the background system (production, energy, etc) forces us to look for direction for the development of the systems and for flexible solutions rather that a specific single solution. We expect that climate change will be in focus here because of the political urgency but other environmental aspects must also be included. 

The main topics to address could be:

• Modeling of emerging waste management technologies
• Material recycling in a green economy
• Energy recovery in a fossil-free economy
• Nutrient recovery in a resource limited economy
• Modelling of integrated waste management systems in emerging systems of products and technologies
• Robustness of the life cycle interpretation phase for emerging waste management technologies and systems

The purpose of the PhD study is to improve our understanding and modelling tools considering the environmental aspects of these topics. The work will primarily be based on literature but also direct contact with developers is expected.

The following qualifications will be taken into account when assessing candidates:

• Strong theoretical background and hands-on experience in LCA modelling
• Strong knowledge about waste management
• Knowledge about statistics and data assessment
• Communication skills in English, both in writing and oral presentation
• Experience with scientific writing is an advantage
• An open-minded approach to working in multidisciplinary and multinational teams is expected

The successful candidate will have an office space at DTU Environment and is expected to be physically present at DTU. Time will be allocated for teaching or other mandatory work, as well as for participating in relevant education.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by scientific staff at DTU Environment.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The position should be effective by spring 2022.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Valentina Bisinella, [email protected] .

You can read more about the Department of Environmental Engineering at www.env.dtu.dk/english . 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . 

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 January 2022 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma including official description of grading scale
• A statement about your ability to read, understand, speak and write English

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.