Job Information
Organisation/Company: Universitat Jaume I
Department: Mechanical Engineering and Construction
Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering; Engineering » Electrical engineering; Engineering » Industrial engineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Master Positions
Application Deadline: 4 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
Country: Spain
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 37,5
Offer Starting Date: 24 Aug 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe
Reference Number: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: Yes
Offer Description
Project details
Title: MSCA-DN-ECODESIGN (Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions-Doctoral Networks)
Reference: HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
Topic: HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01 / HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01
UJI code: 26I236
University Jaume I Research group: Waste Engineering
Tasks
Generals
Collaborate in the research project “26I236 MSCA-DN-ECODESIGN (Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions-Doctoral Networks)”, under the direction and supervision of María Dolores Bovea Edo of the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Construction as responsible for recruitment.
He will perform the functions of the predoctoral research staff in training of group A1.
Specific
- Systematic review of the scientific literature and analysis of the state of the art on self-repair of small electrical and electronic appliances, consumer behavior and the right to repair.
- Design and validation of research instruments, including questionnaires, interviews and focus groups, as well as planning and development of participatory workshops, seminars and experimental studies with users.
- Collection and statistical and interpretive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data obtained in research activities.
- Evaluation of the social impact of self-repair and development and validation of indicators, metrics and methodological frameworks applicable to different consumer groups.
- Development and evaluation of teaching materials, guides and digital resources aimed at improving knowledge and self-repair skills.
- Drafting technical reports, scientific articles and communications for conferences, participation in the scientific and training activities of the research group and collaboration with universities, entities and international partners of the ECODESIGN network, as well as carrying out other activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the doctoral project.
Submission of applications
The call will be published in the Official Gazette of the Valencian Autonomous Government (DOGV) and on the Official Noticeboard of the Universitat Jaume I (TAO-UJI), in the category “Convocatorias PI” [Calls for researchers]. The deadline for submission of applications is 10 working days as of the day following the publication of this call in the DOGV.
Applications must be submitted through the online registry directly at the address: https://www.uji.es/seu/info-adm/tao/ (category “PI” look for code: 23084).
Or it is also possible to use a generic registry: http://www.registre.uji.es/ (indicating call PI code: 23084)
In order to do so, candidates must have a UJI corporate account, a digital certificate containing an electronic signature. Anyone who does not have a UJI corporate account must register for a new one on the University website at: http://www.registre.uji.es/ or contact registre@uji.es.
The application must include the following:
In the section I STATE, literally:
“That the details provided in my application are true and that I meet the conditions for admission to the public service and the specific requirements set out herein”
In the section I REQUEST, literally:
“Admission to the selection process to create, through a simplified procedure, a pool of candidates to fill vacancies for research-related personnel. Code: 23084”
To the attention of: Human Resources Service.
The following documents must be submitted as separate PDF files attached to the online application:
- Identity document (DNI, NIE, passport, etc.).
- Relevant degree certificate and the corresponding academic transcript.
- Other documents required in the call.
- Curriculum vitae showing the merits eligible for consideration in the appendix.
- Merits that are eligible for consideration must be accompanied by relevant supporting documents (merits that are not submitted with such documents before the deadline for submission of applications will not be considered).
Teaser
Do you want to help empower consumers by making self-repair more accessible, inclusive and socially impactful?
Description of the organizational unit
The Universitat Jaume I is a public university located in Castelló, Spain. Established in 1991, UJI is known for its interdisciplinary research, technological innovation and commitment to sustainability. The doctoral candidate will be hosted by the LCSA research group, within the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, which is part of the School of Technology and Experimental Sciences.
The LCSA research group has extensive experience in the sustainability assessment of products and systems through Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), including environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC), within the framework of circular economy. The group also has previous experience in repairability, consumer behaviour and repair methods for small electrical and electronic equipment.
The doctoral candidate will have access to laboratory facilities for product disassembly and process recording, as well as office and computer facilities equipped with software and databases for sustainability assessment, including SimaPro, Ecoinvent, PSILCA and SHDB.
Project
This PhD position is part of an international research and training initiative on ecodesign. The project aims to support the transition towards environmentally sustainable and circular products in the European market, in line with current European policy developments such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Right to Repair framework and broader circular economy strategies.
This PhD focuses on consumer empowerment and the social impacts of the EU Right to Repair framework, with particular attention to self-repair practices, inclusiveness, accessibility and social sustainability assessment.
Research background
The Right to Repair is becoming a central element of European circular economy policy. However, the effectiveness of repair-oriented policies depends not only on product design and technical repairability, but also on whether consumers have the knowledge, confidence, resources and practical conditions needed to engage in repair or self-repair practices.
Self-repair of small electrical and electronic products can contribute to product lifetime extension, waste prevention, responsible consumption and consumer empowerment. Nevertheless, important barriers remain, including limited technical knowledge, lack of accessible repair documentation, perceived risks, lack of tools or spare parts, product complexity, safety concerns, social inequalities and different levels of digital literacy. These barriers can affect consumer groups differently and may limit the inclusiveness of Right to Repair policies.
At the same time, repair and self-repair practices are not only technical or environmental issues. They also have social implications related to empowerment, skills development, accessibility, community engagement, behavioural change, equity and consumer autonomy. Therefore, there is a need for methodologies that can assess the feasibility, inclusiveness and social impacts of self-repair practices across diverse consumer groups.
Research objectives
The objective of this PhD project is to investigate the barriers and enablers of self-repair for small electrical and electronic products across diverse consumer groups and to evaluate the feasibility and inclusiveness of self-repair from multiple perspectives.
The research will develop a framework to quantify the social impacts of self-repair practices within the EU Right to Repair framework. The project will consider how self-repair, joint repair and service repair can empower consumers and contribute to more sustainable product use.
Specific objectives include:
- identifying technical, behavioural, educational and socio-economic barriers and facilitators affecting self-repair practices;
- analysing the needs, capacities and constraints of different consumer groups;
- evaluating the feasibility and inclusiveness of self-repair practices for small electrical and electronic products;
- developing a framework to assess the social impacts associated with self-repair practices;
- designing and testing educational methods and interactive workshops to improve repair awareness and skills;
- developing training materials and digital resources to support current and future consumers;
- generating guidance on how self-repair can support effective implementation of Right to Repair policies.
Expected results and impact
The expected results include:
- a comprehensive assessment of self-repair behaviours and consumer needs;
- a structured analysis of barriers and facilitators affecting self-repair practices for small electrical and electronic products;
- a methodology for identifying and evaluating the social impacts of self-repair practices;
- practical guidance on how self-repair can support effective Right to Repair policies;
- educational and training materials aimed at raising awareness and improving self-repair skills among consumers;
- workshop reports, consumer survey results and analyses of the effectiveness of digital resources;
- recommendations for integrating consumer empowerment and social impact considerations into ecodesign and repairability frameworks.
By integrating social impact assessment, consumer-centred self-repair education and shared tools, the project will contribute to responsible product use, sustainable behaviour and the effective implementation of the EU Right to Repair framework.
Validation, secondments and industrial relevance
The research will combine methodological development with empirical work involving consumers and relevant stakeholders. Activities may include consumer surveys, interviews, participatory workshops, self-repair activities, analysis of repair documentation, development and assessment of educational materials and evaluation of social impacts associated with self-repair practices.
The PhD includes two mandatory international secondments, for a total duration of six months. These secondments will allow the doctoral candidate to connect consumer-centred research with industrial product repairability and international sustainability assessment expertise.
Offer
We offer a funded PhD position at Universitat Jaume I, including:
- a 36-month doctoral contract;
- international secondments;
- access to an international and interdisciplinary research environment;
- supervision by experts in repairability, LCA, S-LCA, LCSA and circular economy;
- access to UJI research facilities, disassembly laboratory resources and sustainability assessment software;
- participation in network-wide training events, workshops and conferences;
- opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and contribute to European policy-relevant research.
- The network adheres to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and fair selection process. We believe that ambitious research requires a variety of voices and we view diversity as a core strength of our team.
- Our recruitment is based on a broad definition of merit: we value not only academic grades but also your teamwork abilities, interdisciplinary knowledge and soft skills. We are committed to equal opportunity and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including, but not limited to, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religious diversity, neurodiversity, or socioeconomic background.
- In line with our commitment to gender balance, we particularly encourage applications from women. We also welcome researchers from underrepresented backgrounds and new EU Member States to join our multidisciplinary environment.
- To support our commitment to equity and meritocracy, please ensure you compile the “Summary Sheet” document (available here: Summary sheet.docx) and include it as the first pages of your motivation letter. In addition, avoid using your family name or first name in the Motivation Letter and when naming your files (e.g., Summary_Motivation.pdf).
Supervision and doctoral guidance
The PhD will be hosted by Universitat Jaume I and supervised by:
- Prof. María Dolores Bovea Edo, Universitat Jaume I, main supervisor.
- Prof. Valeria Ibáñez Forés, Universitat Jaume I, co-supervisor.
This supervision structure will provide expertise in repairability, LCA, S-LCA, LCSA, consumer behaviour, circular economy, social indicators and European sustainability policy.
Where to apply
Website: https://www.uji.es/seu/info-adm/tao/convocatoriesRH?pConv=3531&pCategoria=14
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering » Other
Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Other
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
To hold official university degrees at the undergraduate and master's levels:
- University degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design and Product Development Engineering, Environmental Engineering or related degrees.
- Official university master's degree related to the previous qualifications or whose curriculum allows accreditation of skills linked to the research functions of the position, and which gives access to a doctoral program at the Universitat Jaume I (Spain).
Specific Requirements
- Training or research experience in circular economy, ecodesign, reparability, self-repair, right to repair, social sustainability or consumer behavior.
- Experience in the design and validation of questionnaires, interviews, focus groups or other research instruments with users.
- Experience in the organization and development of participatory workshops, training activities or experimental studies with different population groups.
- Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, statistical data analysis, and social impact assessment.
- Experience in the development of teaching materials, guides or digital resources, as well as in publications, conferences or research projects.
- Knowledge or experience in the use of eye tracking tools and in the development or application of augmented reality or virtual reality resources in studies with users.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Sufficient knowledge of Spanish to participate in the design, development and facilitation of workshops and activities with users will be positively valued.
- Ability to work in a team and motivation to develop research in a multidisciplinary and international environment.
- The evaluation of applications will be based on the documentation submitted, taking into account the suitability of the candidate's training, experience, preferred merits and motivation to the job profile.
Additional Information
Selection process
More information
Contact: Prof. María D Bovea, Universitat Jaume I (bovea@uji.es) - https://www.lcsa.uji.es/
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please send to bovea@uji.es the following documents:
- Summary sheet.docx
- Motivation letter
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Universitat Jaume I
Country: Spain
State/Province: Castelló
City: Castelló de la Plana
Postal Code: 12071
Street: Vicent Sos Baynat, 0
Contact
State/Province: Castellón
City: Castelló de la Plana
Website: http://www.uji.es
Street: Avda. Sos Baynat s/n
Postal Code: 12071
E-Mail: bovea@uji.es
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!