PhD Student for the Development of Safe and Sustainable by Design Methods

Empa is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge research for the benefit of industry and the well-being of society.

In line with Empa’s mission, the Technology and Society Laboratory (TSL) creates and transfers knowledge to support the transition 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. 

Within TSL, the Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Group (ERAM) and the Advancing Life cycle Assessment Group (ALCA), are looking for a joint appointment of a

PhD Student for the Development of Safe and Sustainable by Design Methods

This PhD project in the context of the European Doctoral Network MELOMANES aims to develop a Safe and Sustainable by Design Methodology for biomedical applications, based on a multidimensional safety and sustainability concept incorporating risk assessment and life cycle assessment (LCA). The developed methodology will be applied to the specific case of nanoparticles used for treatment of melanoma. 

The PhD student will be enrolled at ETH Zürich in the Department of Environmental System Science under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack.

We are looking for an excellent candidate interested in combining and improving methods used to assess the impacts and the sustainability of new compounds. The successful candidate should hold a MSc degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering or a related discipline and preferably have previous experience in assessing environmental risks or LCA. Very good communication skills in English, orally and written, are required. 

We offer a highly interdisciplinary research environment to perform research relevant for science and regulators. Our young team consists of experienced scientists, post docs as well as PhD and master students. For more details visit

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