PhD scholarship in Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Biobased Chemicals - DTU Sustain

Do you want to carry out a PhD project with international front-runners in environmental sustainability assessment? If so, this PhD position might be the right fit for you!

You will develop and apply improved environmental sustainability assessment methods for biobased chemicals.

The position is offered at the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment of the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain). The section spearheads the development of sustainability assessment methods. You will become part of an ambitious and team-based research environment with around 40 international staff members, postdocs, and PhD students.

The PhD project is a part of an EU Horizon project, RADAR (Renewable and safe aromatic compounds as replacements for substances of concern). 

Responsibilities and qualifications
The successful PhD student will improve life cycle inventory analysis and life cycle impact assessment methods for lignin-derived phenolic compounds (LDP). The main tasks involve:

• Integrate experimental data and calculate comparative toxicity potentials of LDPs for use in life cycle impact assessment
• Develop predictive models to estimate life cycle inventories of LDPs based on low TRL level data
• Allocate environmental boundaries to LDPs and carry out absolute environmental sustainability assessment

These tasks require the ability to handle and process quantitative data as well as experience with environmental modelling (e.g., life cycle impact assessment, environmental risk assessment, material flow analysis, etc.)

Additionally, the PhD Student is expected to participate in the department’s teaching activities.

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 DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment will be made by Dr. Mikolaj Owsianiak and Dr. Daniel Fozer.

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.

Expected starting date is 1 February 2024. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Mikolaj Owsianiak, email: [email protected]  

You can read more about the DTU Sustain department at https://sustain.dtu.dk/en  

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 November 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", 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 (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A brief summary (maximum half a page) of your command of life cycle assessment

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.

About DTU Sustain
The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development, scientific advice, and provides educational programs and services to society. We work to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 employees from more than 30 nationalities.

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 mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 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.