Temporary contract | 42 months | Belval

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/

How will you contribute?

Many metals are produced today by carbothermic reduction, using fossil carbon as a raw material and with CO₂ as an unavoidable byproduct. The European Commission £Jhas proposed a regulation on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), that aims to strengthen the EU’s capacities and resilience along the entire CRM value chain. The regulation also identifies a list of strategic raw materials (SRMs), which are crucial for strategic technologies. Silicon (Si) and manganese (Mn) are defined as both CRMs and SRMs. Si and Mn will play a central role in successfully building Europe’s clean technology value chains and meeting the EU’s 2050 climate-neutrality goal.

Project “MECALO” has the ambition to develop an innovative production concept for CRMs. MECALO will demonstrate CO₂-neutral production of Si and Mn by using renewable hydrogen and carbon looping. Quantifying the environmental benefits of such an endeavour, chiefly the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, requires life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques and a good understanding of metallurgy processes.

You will contribute by developing the LCA models for the MECALO processes and counterfactual (conventional) scenarios, in tight collaboration with the rest of the consortium. Using state-of-the-art LCA methods to quantify uncertainty and variability across potential designs, as well as analysing the prospective deployment of the MECALO processes displacing fossil-fuelled production processes in the medium-term, you will provide crucial data and interpretation regarding the environmental performance of low-carbon Si and Mn production. A basic LCA decision-making tool will also be developed to assist process engineers in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts across the value chains of Si and Mn production.

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

Education

• Master of Science in industrial ecology, life cycle assessment, environmental engineering, environmental sustainability, alternatively computer science, physics, or mathematics

Experience and skills

• Proven organizational skills and interdisciplinary thinking
• A problem-solving mind-set
• A strong team-working capability
• Ability to work in autonomy and creatively
• Proven proficiency in programming (ideally with Python)
• Basic knowledge of life cycle assessment (LCA)

Nice to have

• Knowledge of the Brightway open-source LCA software package
• Previous experience in writing scientific reports and articles

Language skills

• Proficiency in English, including formal writing

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

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

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.

PhD additional conditions:

• Supervisor at LIST: Dr. Thomas Gibon (thomas.gibon@list.lu)
• Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belval, Luxembourg
• PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Candidates shall be available for starting their position in winter 2024/2025. Please note that university enrolment fees (currently 200 EUR per semester) must be covered by the successful applicant. Your master diploma has to be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html