Norway : PhD candidate – Global Environmental Footprinting

The Industrial Ecology Program (IndEcol), Department of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD student in global environmental footprint modelling and analysis.

The concept of the ecological footprint has long been popular to communicate the concept that humans share a finite planet with other species. In recent years, the carbon footprint and water footprint have each received substantial attention and now serve as guides to decision making about both products and policies, while footprint indicators for land and materials are under development. Footprints indicate the environmental load associated with the consumption of a product, and reflecting today’s global value chains, take into account environmental impacts caused in other countries. The use of multiregional input-output models to properly represent global production-consumption relationships, pioneered at NTNU for the carbon footprint, is increasingly common also for other footprint indicators. At the same time, both the development of multiregional input-output models and the analysis of footprint results are in early stages. Further improvements and model development are necessary to allow for the wide-spread routine application of these indicators. Substantial insight can be gained from studying individual consumption categories and wider cross-region and country relationships, providing understanding crucial for future sustainability choices. Of special interest is the dynamic development of footprints given the growth in population and economies and the structural and technological changes in production systems, as well as the increasing globalization of production.

The Industrial Ecology Program (IndEcol) is a leading contributor to the development of and analysis of footprint indicators and sustainable development indicators. IndEcol has, for WWF and in collaboration with the Global Footprint Network, the Stockholm Environment Institute, and the University of Twente, developed the EUREAPA Scenario Modelling and Policy Assessment Tool (http://www.eureapa.net/) and is a key partner in the EU FP7 project DESIRE (DEvelopment of a System of Indicators for a Resource efficient Europe). IndEcol is also a key player in the development of the multiregional input-output database EXIOBASE (http://www.exiobase.eu/) and derived scenario assessments of the benefit of clean technologies (PROSUITE project; THEMIS model used in work for UNEP).

Task of the PhD student will contribute to improve footprint modelling and to conduct analyses to provide a better understanding of the role international trade in shaping our global footprints.

IndEcol is an interdisciplinary research and teaching program managing its own International MSc program and PhD program. IndEcol has a high reputation within the field as evidenced by a high-profile international evaluation. IndEcol is well recognized for its work in the areas of life-cycle assessment, material flow analysis, and the use of input-output analysis for environmental assessments, as evidenced by numerous publications and international prizes.

The candidate should have a relevant Master’s degree in industrial ecology, economics, engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. Strong analytical capabilities and good written and oral communications skills are essential. Competence in a mathematical modeling tool (e.g., MatLab or GAMS), statistics or database management is required. Prior knowledge of life-cycle assessment, input-output modeling, material flow analysis or energy scenario modeling is a plus. To be qualified for admission to the PhD program at NTNU, the candidate must demonstrate a B average or better (on the European Credit Transfer System –ECTS- grading scale) at the MSc level. In addition, the applicant must be fluent in English. Competence in Norwegian is of advantage. Trondheim is the place of duty. Current MSc students graduating in the summer of 2013 are also invited to apply and a start-up of the position is flexible.

Further information on the positions can be obtained from Professor Edgar Hertwich (edgar.hertwich@ntnu.no, telephone +47 73598949) or Dr. Richard Wood (richard.wood@ntnu.no).

General information on the industrial ecology program is available from our website www.ntnu.edu/indecol

Conditions of appointment:

PhD Candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at wage level 50, gross NOK 416 300 before tax. There will be a 2 % deduction to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund from gross wage.

Engagement as a PhD Candidate is done in accordance with “Regulation concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow, research fellow, research assistant and resident”, given by the Ministry of Education and Research of 19.07.2010. The goal of each of the announced positions is to obtain a PhD degree. Applicants will engage in an organized PhD training program, and appointment requires approval of the applicants plan for a PhD study within three months from the date of commencement. See http://www.ntnu.edu/ivt/phd for more information.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants. The positions adhere to the Norwegian Government's policy of balanced ethnicity, age and gender. Persons with immigrant background and women are encouraged to apply.

According to the new Freedom of Information Act, information concerning the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the list of applicants.

An application inclusive CV, grade transcripts and other enclosures should be sent electronically via this page. Mark your application with ref.no. IVT- 14/13.

Application Deadline : 1 March 2013