Postdoc position in towards a circular plastics economy within the planetary boundaries

Poste

Durée déterminée

Postdoc

Science & Recherche

Modalités

Zürich, Zurich

100%

Exigences

Doctorat

Permis UE/AELE

Compétences

Mathematical optimizationCarbon capture and utilizationLife cycle assessmentSustainable supply chain analysisCollaboration with academia and industryPredictive modelsRecyclingExperimental DesignSimulationstechnikBiotechnologyEngineering design processesCO2 emission reduction technologies

Langues

Anglais

Description

The project adopts a comprehensive systems perspective on the early-stage development of future technologies in the chemical and plastic industry
Your work will range from modeling individual technologies for alternative carbon sources to conducting techno-economic and life cycle assessment of integrated chemical and plastic production systems using mathematical optimization

Specifically, you will participate in:

Advancing in-house models covering the global production pathways of large-volume chemicals and plastics
Integrating novel technologies for alternative carbon flows, focusing in particular on chemical recycling, but considering carbon capture and utilization, and biomass utilization
Identifying sustainable supply chains of the chemical and plastic industry using mathematical optimization and-assessing trade-offs between environmental targets
The work will deepen your understanding of the chemical and plastics industry and its techno-economic and environmental assessment
You will learn to identify optimal technologies that meet environmental constraints, enhancing your knowledge of the environmental benefits of recycling, carbon capture and utilization, and bio-based technologies
Collaboration with partners from industry and academia will be crucial for success
Notably, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with and ultimately co-supervise a group of PhD students working on the same project
These students will advance predictive and experimental methods targeting separations and the thermophysical properties of complex fluids involved in solvent-based plastic recycling

Responsabilités

The project adopts a comprehensive systems perspective on the early-stage development of future technologies in the chemical and plastic industry
Your work will range from modeling individual technologies for alternative carbon sources to conducting techno-economic and life cycle assessment of integrated chemical and plastic production systems using mathematical optimization
Advancing in-house models covering the global production pathways of large-volume chemicals and plastics
Integrating novel technologies for alternative carbon flows, focusing in particular on chemical recycling, but considering carbon capture and utilization, and biomass utilization
Identifying sustainable supply chains of the chemical and plastic industry using mathematical optimization and assessing trade-offs between environmental targets
The work will deepen your understanding of the chemical and plastics industry and its techno-economic and environmental assessment
You will learn to identify optimal technologies that meet environmental constraints, enhancing your knowledge of the environmental benefits of recycling, carbon capture and utilization, and bio-based technologies
Collaboration with partners from industry and academia will be crucial for success
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with and ultimately co-supervise a group of PhD students working on the same project

Exigences

We are looking for a proactive and motivated candidate who meets the requirements for a position at ETH Zurich and has a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, or energy science & technology from a recognized university
Ideally, you already have strong experience in conceptual process design and simulations, life cycle assessment, alternative carbon source technologies, and programming
You are highly motivated to learn and apply modern simulation and optimization techniques and work in a dynamic environment with other doctoral students and postdocs
The ability to work independently and excellent communication skills in English (both written and spoken) complete your profile

Technologies

Mathematical optimizationTechno-economic assessmentLife cycle assessment

Avantages

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
You will work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers with in-depth experience in process design, energy system optimization, and life cycle assessment
As an integral part of your work, you will publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences
The role does not necessarily entail teaching, but you will be given the opportunity to contribute to the group's teaching activities if so desired

Entreprise

ETH Zurich

Education

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.

Contact

Dr. Emiliano Casati

casatie@ethz.ch