Postdoc position: Modeling the Circular Economy

Overview

The Energy and Process Systems Engineering (EPSE) Group at ETH Zürich is seeking a talented individual to join our team in advancing sustainable practices within the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. This role focuses on developing a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions and modeling the circular economy specifically in challenging sectors.

Project Background

Switzerland has set ambitious net-zero climate targets, which necessitate a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across various industries. In sectors like chemical production and waste management, emissions are difficult to avoid, necessitating innovative approaches such as CO2 capture and storage (CCS) and negative emission technologies (NETs). The SWEET ACHIEVE consortium aims to explore these in the Swiss context, focusing on synergies between sectors to minimize reliance on CCS and NETs.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive system model for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland.
• Design optimal pathways for transitioning the sector to net-zero emissions, analyzing costs and environmental impacts of various decarbonization options.
• Expand the model to incorporate insights from the waste-to-energy and recycling sectors.
• Engage with industry partners to gather practical insights and assess the feasibility of different decarbonization strategies.
• Lead contributions to the SWEET ACHIEVE consortium, managing multiple work packages.
• Mentor and co-supervise students’ projects and theses.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A doctoral degree in process engineering, mechanical engineering, energy science & technology, or chemical engineering.
• Strong experience in system modeling and assessment of environmental impacts and costs, particularly within the chemical industry.
• A proactive attitude, with motivation to learn and apply novel optimization and assessment methodologies in a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• The ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with peers.

Benefits

The position offers a full-time role for two years, beginning no earlier than December 1, 2025, with opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Working within a supportive, interdisciplinary team, you will have access to state-of-the-art computational resources and contribute to innovative research that impacts the broader academic community. Additional benefits include:

• An exciting and dynamic working environment that fosters cultural diversity.
• A commitment to maintaining family-friendly conditions and excellent working standards.
• Opportunities for contributing to teaching activities, should you choose to do so.

Commitment to Sustainability and Inclusivity

ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture, emphasizing equal opportunities and diversity. We are dedicated to creating a respectful environment that allows all individuals to thrive. Our commitment to sustainability is core to our mission as we continually strive toward a climate-neutral future.

About ETH Zürich

As one of the leading global universities specializing in science and technology, ETH Zurich is renowned for its excellent education, innovative research, and impactful societal contributions. With a diverse community of over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, we foster an environment that encourages independent thought and collaboration to tackle the world's most pressing challenges.