Postdoctoral Fellow
Your tasks
The Swiss Long-Term Climate Strategy adopted by the Federal Council aims at the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050. Your work will be related to the recently established Swiss Center of Excellence on Net-Zero Emissions (SCENE). Based on economic scenarios, you will investigate the environmental consequences not only due to GHG emissions but also due to air pollution and other life cycle burdens.
You will develop an interface connecting the output from the Swiss TIMES Energy systems model to life cycle inventory (LCI) modelling based on ecoinvent and an interface connecting the LCI output to environmental impact and external cost assessment. The tasks include the modelling of direct and indirect emissions of hazardous substances related to the future net-zero GHG scenarios. You will build your work on existing models for life cycle and externalities assessment and you will collaborate with project partners (primarily PSI and EMPA). Depending on the requirements of the net-zero goal, you should improve the modelling, for example the spatial resolution and/or the modelling of externalities of recycling.
Key research questions include the assessment and minimization of possible negative side effects of the net-zero scenarios beyond climate effects e.g. health impacts due to emissions of fine particulates or other substances. A key question is how to balance the benefits of reduced GHG emissions against other impacts. Tools and workflows used in the project should be FAIR and open as far as possible.
Your profile
- PhD degree in natural science, computer science, or engineering
- Good knowledge of English
- Strong skills in computer programming, preferably in Python
- Experience in life cycle and/or externalities assessment
- Basic experience in project management
- Communication skills to work well in a team
- Ability and motivation to carry out independent research
We offer
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.
Your employment contract is limited to 2 years.
For further information, please contact Dr. Thomas Heck, e-mail: thomas.heck@psi.ch, phone +41 56 310 26 51
Please submit your application online by 5 October 2023 (including list of publications and addresses of referees for the position as a Postdoctoral Fellow (index no. 4501-03).
Paul Scherrer Institut, Human Resources Management, Serdal Varol, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland