"2 PhD candidates in Industrial Ecology"

Job Description

The Faculty of Science, and specifically the Institute of Environmental Sciences CML, is looking for: 2 PhD candidates in Industrial Ecology.

Project Overview

The successful applicants will work as part of the Groeien met Groen Staal (GGS) programme, which aims to make the Dutch steel sector CO₂-neutral by 2050. Steel is crucial to modern society and plays a significant economic role in the Netherlands. However, given its environmental impact, the sector must be decarbonised in line with Dutch climate targets. Achieving this requires the development of innovative, transformative pathways across the entire steel value chain.

Within the GGS programme, two PhD positions are available at CML:

• PhD on Prospective Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): This project focuses on assessing innovative steelmaking technologies (e.g., Direct Reduced Iron with hydrogen) and exploring long-term transition pathways through prospective LCA. It will evaluate multiple environmental impact categories, identify challenges (such as raw material constraints, hydrogen availability, and infrastructure deployment challenges), and analyze deep uncertainties. The research will guide sustainable transition strategies, provide input to decision-makers (e.g., related to the Dutch Climate Act), and contribute to integrated decision support.
• PhD on Dynamic Material Flow Analysis (MFA): This project addresses critical materials in the steel industry. Using Dynamic MFA with alloy-level tracking, it quantifies flows and stocks of elements such as copper, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, and niobium. The research explores technological pathways for enhanced recovery and recycling, develops policy recommendations, and identifies strategies to reduce carbon footprint and supply risks.

Both PhD candidates will collaborate closely with GGS partners across academia, industry, and government.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing life cycle inventories (LCA PhD) or material flow models (MFA PhD) in close collaboration with technology developers and stakeholders.
• Conducting prospective environmental impact assessments (LCA PhD) or dynamic MFA and circularity analyses (MFA PhD).
• Collaborating with consortium partners on data collection, model development, and integration milestones.
• Working on project deliverables, ensuring timely completion and high-quality contributions.
• Attending and actively participating in project meetings, including travel (mainly in the Netherlands) as required.
• Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national and international conferences.

Selection Criteria

For applicants at the PhD researcher level:

• You hold a master's degree in the field of industrial ecology, environmental sciences, process engineering, or another related field.
• Documented expertise (e.g., Bachelor's or Master's thesis or research experience) in LCA (for the LCA PhD) or MFA (for the MFA PhD) is an important advantage. Applicants without this knowledge should have the motivation to develop it early on in the PhD.
• Knowledge of steelmaking (both positions) and alloy behavior (specific to MFA PhD) is an important advantage. Applicants without this knowledge should have the motivation to develop it early on in the PhD.
• Programming skills (e.g., Python or other languages) and the ability to handle large datasets are an advantage. Applicants without these skills should have the motivation to develop them early on in the PhD.
• You have excellent English language skills in writing and speaking.
• You are intellectually curious, possess good analytical skills, are self-motivated, flexible, and detail-oriented.
• You have strong social and communication skills and the ability to interact with other researchers, industry, and policy actors.
• We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. Your unique perspectives will enrich our research and foster a collaborative and innovative environment.

Research at Our Faculty

Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and The Hague (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff.

The Institute of Environmental Science (CML) at Leiden University offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.

The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of natural capital and biodiversity. CML has a culture of mutual support and collaboration between researchers. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 150 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML further collaborates with TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), and with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expanding fundamental knowledge by curiosity and looking beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,800 staff and almost 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

Terms and Conditions

We offer an initial one-year contract, with an option to extend to 4 years based on performance, following the pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from €3,059 in the first year to €3,881 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position.

At our institution, we believe in flexibility and work-life balance! With a full-time position (38 hours per week), you are entitled to 232 vacation hours per year, which is equivalent to 30.5 vacation days (based on a 38-hour work week). If you value flexibility, you have the freedom to adjust your working hours. For example, you could choose to work 40 hours per week, earning extra compensation hours. Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter work week, you can work 36 hours per week by using some of your vacation days to create more time for yourself. You’ll work closely with your supervisor to tailor your schedule in a way that suits both your needs and the team’s.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Holiday allowance (8%) and an end-of-year bonus (8.3%); An attractive pension scheme with ABP; Extensive options for secondary employment conditions; Hybrid working options; Home-working allowance; PhD student support.