Temporary contract | 14+22+12 months | Belval | Starting 09/2024

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment, and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data, and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions, and businesses in their strategies.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Environmental Research and Innovation department: ERIN Department

How will you contribute?

Consumption-based targets are goals that are set to reduce the carbon footprint associated with a country's consumption of goods and services, rather than its production. These targets are based on the observation that a significant portion of a country's carbon emissions are generated through the production of goods that are then consumed by that country's citizens or businesses. This is fundamentally different from the current accounting rules of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with widely different implications, especially for high-income countries. Developing robust tools to estimate the future consumption-based environmental impacts of nations is key to increasing credibility in consumption-based decarbonization targets.

In project FRESCO (Future Evaluation of Sustainable Consumption), you will be in charge of reviewing existing GHG accounting techniques and frameworks, including methods relying on household consumption surveys, environmentally-extended multiregional input-output (EE-MRIO) databases, and on prospective modelling based on micro-economic techniques and integrated assessment model results. From this knowledge, you will be developing the mathematical framework for an assessment framework of future consumption-based policies, and its implementation as a software package, which will then be applied to several use cases (Sweden, Luxembourg, and other EU Member States).

In practice, you will be using various software tools (using the Python language) to manipulate input-output databases (from EXIOBASE) and adapt them to several families of scenarios including forecasts of energy mixes, industrial efficiencies, international trade, as well as final consumption patterns – using results from integrated assessment models (IAMs) and other energy system models (ESMs). Such an exercise requires extensive calibration, validation, and quality check, which requires good knowledge of balancing methods and uncertainty analysis. The main objective of the tool you will develop is to translate as accurately and robustly as possible policy decisions into scenario parameters for data-driven decision-making.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

• MSc degree in environmental economics, industrial ecology, environmental sciences, or equivalent, emphasis on quantitative methods is a must-have,
• Alternatively, a MSc degree in computer science or applied mathematics with a strong will to learn about environmental topics.

Experience and skills, in decreasing order of importance

• Strong quantitative skills and mathematical background, optimisation is a plus,
• Proven proficiency in programming, ideally with Python,
• Proven organizational skills and interdisciplinary thinking,
• An eye for quality,
• ·Knowledge of life cycle assessment and/or input-output analysis,
• Problem-solving and independent mindset.

Language skills

• Proficiency in English,
• Knowledge of French and/or Swedish is a plus.

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience,
• A scientific CV with contact details,
• List of publications (and patents, if applicable),
• Contact details of 2 references.

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Please note that by applying you consent to share your application with Dr FINNVEDEN, Göran, Professor, from KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

PhD additional conditions:

• Supervisor at KTH: Prof. Göran Finnveden (goran.finnveden@abe.kth.se)
• Co-supervisor at LIST: Dr. Thomas Gibon (thomas.gibon@list.lu)
• Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belval, Luxembourg
• PhD enrolment: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

Candidates shall be available for starting their position in autumn 2024. Please note that university enrolment fees must be covered by the successful applicant. Your master diploma has to be recognized in studies country.