PhD student in environmental and resource assessment of ocean mining

Publiceringsdatum: 2025-01-24

Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB är på jakt efter en skicklig doktorand och du kan vara rätt person för jobbet. Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB söker för närvarande efter personal på heltid för en tjänst 6 månader eller längre. Kolla in deras jobbannons för mer information. Arbetsplatsen ligger nära tillhands om du är bosatta i Göteborg som är tjänsteorten.

Om du är intresserad av en karriär inom doktorand, ta en titt på den lediga tjänsten som Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB erbjuder för att se om det är en matchning. Bli en del av Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB genom att ansöka till jobbet som doktorand senast lördag den första mars 2025.

Jobbannons

Ocean mineral mining is becoming a hot topic among policy makers, companies and environmental NGOs. Proponents argue that Europe needs to become more self-sufficient on minerals, while opponents point to environmental impacts on local ecosystems. This project seeks to inform this debate by structured and systemic assessments of environmental and resource impacts.

Information about the project and the division

The demand for battery materials is expected to increase notably in Sweden and Europe. The question is from where these critical materials can be obtained. An alternative source of resources is ocean mining in European waters. In this project, we will compare the environmental and resource impacts of ocean mining to land-based mining. We will do this using prospective life cycle assessment, where impacts on climate, biodiversity and other impact categories are evaluated from the cradle of extraction to the battery’s grave. We will also assess the resource potential in European waters. With this knowledge, we wish to contribute to the debate about the environmental sustainability of ocean mining. The project is multidisciplinary and will require insights from environmental engineering, industrial ecology, and marine biology.

The position is located at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis. We research environmental and sustainability assessment of various technical systems to evaluate environmental problems and resource limitations. This is done using a systems approach that includes not only technology but also actors (organizations, groups, and individuals) and natural systems in our analyses. The division's work requires interdisciplinary efforts, which is reflected in our team's composition spanning engineering, natural, and social sciences. We are united by applying systems-based approaches and striving towards a sustainable future. The project is also associated with the marine research infrastructure Kristineberg Center for marine research and innovation, where the candidate will have access to marine geological expertise and possible experimental studies.

Main responsibilities

• Become a PhD in Energy, Environment and Systems with a specialization in Environmental Systems Analysis.
• Learn to acquire and communicate knowledge related to the PhD project.
• Plan and perform research under guidance by the supervisors.
• Apply and develop environmental and resource assessment methods.
• Write research articles and other publications · Present research at conferences.
• Collaborate with reference group and other societal actors.
• Take courses relevant to the PhD project and about generic research skills.
• Help out with the division’s teaching of courses related to sustainable development and environmental assessment

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.

Qualifications

Requirements

• M.Sc. in industrial ecology, environmental engineering or similar
• Master-level course involving life cycle assessment
• Excellent written and oral communication in English

Meritous

• Master thesis about life cycle assessment
• 7.5 credit course (or more) in life cycle assessment
• Training or work expertise in marine sciences
• Speaking and writing Swedish

Contract terms

Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

What we offer

Chalmers provides a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 

Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name)

• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name)

1-3 pages where you:

• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:

• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 2025-03-01

For questions, please contact:

Helene Ahlborg, Head of Unit,

Helene.ahlborg@chalmers.se

Rickard Arvidsson, Associate Professor,

Rickard.arvidsson@chalmers.se

• ** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.