PhD Position in Decarbonizing the Future of the Chemical Industry 100%, Zurich, fixed-term
ETH Zürich
Contattare
PhD Position in Decarbonizing the Future of the Chemical Industry
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
print Drucken
The Ecological Systems Design Group at ETH Zürich is an internationally leading research group in the field of
modelling and improving the resource efficiency and environmental performance of products and processes from a systems
perspective. We are inviting applications to fill a PhD position in “Decarbonizing the Future of the Chemical Industry”.
Project background
This PhD position is contributing to several projects in the field of sustainable chemicals manufacturing. One of them
may be the multi-year “NCCR Catalysis” project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The goal of the project
is to accelerate the urgently needed shift from a polluting fossil-based chemical industry to a more sustainable one.
Job description
The work will be carried out in an interdisciplinary team at the Ecological Systems Design Group. The primary
objective of this doctoral project is to define and assess transition pathways for sustainable chemical supply chains
on a global scale. The project aims to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates site-level data with
industry-wide models to evaluate both current and future chemical production processes. Your work will involve setting
up a database of global chemical production sites, focusing on production amounts, energy use, and regionalized
environmental impacts. You will utilize existing high-quality data sources, commercial databases, and
machine-learning-augmented life cycle assessment (LCA) tools to generate energy and mass balances for key production
processes. A significant part of the project will be linking these production activities with regional energy supplies
to trace the interconnected chemical supply chains, allowing for a detailed life cycle impact assessment.
You will be responsible for developing methods to quantify and evaluate the environmental impacts of novel chemical
production pathways, focusing on the integration of alternative raw materials (e.g., biogenic sources) and innovative
recycling approaches (e.g. chemical recycling). Additionally, your research will explore feedback loops between process
advances (such as catalyst or solvent development) and the overall sustainability transition of the chemical industry.
Throughout the project, you will collaborate closely with industry stakeholders and academic experts to validate your
models and ensure the applicability of your findings. An integral part of your work is publishing your results in
peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at international conferences.
Profile
Your qualifications should include:
- A master level university degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, environmental engineering,
environmental sciences, technical chemistry, computational chemistry or similar studies with excellent grades
- Experience in modelling and programming; some prior skills in machine learning are beneficial
- Knowledge and experience in the topics of life cycle assessment and chemicals manufacturing would be a benefit but
are not required
Your employment will be contracted according to standard regulations at ETH (funding secured for 4 years). The project
will start in January 2025 or upon mutual agreement. You are expected to contribute to the teaching and research
activity up to a maximum of 20% of your working time.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting
working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.
chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
We value diversity
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value
diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students
are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open
environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application including:
- a letter of motivation
- a CV
- academic transcripts (including a list of courses completed or ongoing, including grades and, if available, ranking)
- contact details of two referees
We will start interviewing candidates as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via
email or postal services will not be considered.
For further information about the Ecological Systems Design Group, please visit our website: Chair of Ecological
Systems Design. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Christopher Oberschelp
oberschelp@ifu.baug.ethz.ch (please put cc dold@ifu.baug.ethz.ch and hellweg@ifu.baug.ethz.ch) (no applications).
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
print Drucken
The Ecological Systems Design Group at ETH Zürich is an internationally leading research group in the field of
modelling and improving the resource efficiency and environmental performance of products and processes from a systems
perspective. We are inviting applications to fill a PhD position in “Decarbonizing the Future of the Chemical Industry”.
Project background
This PhD position is contributing to several projects in the field of sustainable chemicals manufacturing. One of them
may be the multi-year “NCCR Catalysis” project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The goal of the project
is to accelerate the urgently needed shift from a polluting fossil-based chemical industry to a more sustainable one.
Job description
The work will be carried out in an interdisciplinary team at the Ecological Systems Design Group. The primary
objective of this doctoral project is to define and assess transition pathways for sustainable chemical supply chains
on a global scale. The project aims to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates site-level data with
industry-wide models to evaluate both current and future chemical production processes. Your work will involve setting
up a database of global chemical production sites, focusing on production amounts, energy use, and regionalized
environmental impacts. You will utilize existing high-quality data sources, commercial databases, and
machine-learning-augmented life cycle assessment (LCA) tools to generate energy and mass balances for key production
processes. A significant part of the project will be linking these production activities with regional energy supplies
to trace the interconnected chemical supply chains, allowing for a detailed life cycle impact assessment.
You will be responsible for developing methods to quantify and evaluate the environmental impacts of novel chemical
production pathways, focusing on the integration of alternative raw materials (e.g., biogenic sources) and innovative
recycling approaches (e.g. chemical recycling). Additionally, your research will explore feedback loops between process
advances (such as catalyst or solvent development) and the overall sustainability transition of the chemical industry.
Throughout the project, you will collaborate closely with industry stakeholders and academic experts to validate your
models and ensure the applicability of your findings. An integral part of your work is publishing your results in
peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at international conferences.
Profile
Your qualifications should include:
- A master level university degree in chemical engineering, process engineering, environmental engineering,
environmental sciences, technical chemistry, computational chemistry or similar studies with excellent grades
- Experience in modelling and programming; some prior skills in machine learning are beneficial
- Knowledge and experience in the topics of life cycle assessment and chemicals manufacturing would be a benefit but
are not required
Your employment will be contracted according to standard regulations at ETH (funding secured for 4 years). The project
will start in January 2025 or upon mutual agreement. You are expected to contribute to the teaching and research
activity up to a maximum of 20% of your working time.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting
working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.
chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
We value diversity
In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value
diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students
are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open
environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application including:
- a letter of motivation
- a CV
- academic transcripts (including a list of courses completed or ongoing, including grades and, if available, ranking)
- contact details of two referees
We will start interviewing candidates as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via
email or postal services will not be considered.
For further information about the Ecological Systems Design Group, please visit our website: Chair of Ecological
Systems Design. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Christopher Oberschelp
oberschelp@ifu.baug.ethz.ch (please put cc dold@ifu.baug.ethz.ch and hellweg@ifu.baug.ethz.ch) (no applications).
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
About ETH Zürich
ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our
excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000
people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we
work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.