Postdoctoral Researchers in Sustainable Circular Economy

The Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec) within the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics of ETH Zurich investigates technological, institutional and organizational change in the context of sustainability. In our work, we analyze the role of public policy for innovation and the diffusion of sustainable technologies and explore how corporate strategies and organizational dynamics contribute to sustainability in different sectors. The Sustainable Circular Economy is one perspective we are using to understand the transition of industries towards sustainability, and we are now looking for two Postdoctoral Researchers in Sustainable Circular Economy.

Job description

Position 1 is situated in a large Horizon Europe project on redesigning value chains to increase the share of recycled plastics. The project focuses on quantifying the economic potential of recyclate use along the value chain in different industries.

Position 2 caters to a set of different projects that we are running on the circular economy in various industries. It is broader in scope, could be qualitative or quantitative and could relate to sectors such as chemicals/plastics, construction, energy or agriculture.

In both positions, your work should be scientifically rigorous and at the same time relevant to policy makers and managers. Your main tasks are conducting research and publishing your results in high-ranked peer-reviewed journals, while also advising PhD and master students. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the group’s strategy, allowing you to gain experience in leading research projects and teams. You should also contribute to the group’s teaching and be open to outreach activities.

You hold, or are near to completing, a PhD related to the circular economy and show a clear aspiration to pursue an academic career. For both positions, relevant disciplines are economics (e.g., ecological economics), management (e.g., technology & innovation management, strategy, or entrepreneurship), or engineering (e.g., industrial, mechanical or chemical engineering). Your excellent academic record underlines your ability to think analytically and at the same time across disciplines, both on an abstract and an applied level. You are also interested in other sustainability topics such as climate change or the energy transition and in current political and societal discussions in the field. Your working style is team-oriented and you have strong communication skills. You are fluent in English; German is an additional asset, but not necessary.

We offer an entrepreneurial research atmosphere in a large and dynamic team at a globally leading academic institution. As a group, we benefit from frequent interactions with leading scholars in different academic fields and offer national and international development opportunities through collaborations within academia and with industry. The annual salary is very competitive and the location in the heart of Zurich is attractive. The starting date is negotiable, but we are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. The successful candidates are expected to work in the group for a period of at least 2 years, with the potential to move into a more senior role.

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