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The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.

The Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis (LEA) is an interdivisional laboratory of the Nuclear Energy and Safety Research Division (NES) and the PSI Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences (CEE). It unites specific analytical research concerning diverse energy technologies and systems, including nuclear, fossil and (modern) renewables. In cooperation with external partners (e.g. the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) and many others), LEA carries out environmental and economic technology assessment and energy systems analyses relevant for energy policy.

For the Technology Assessment Group in the Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis (LEA) we are looking for a

Postdoctoral Fellow for environmental assessment of decarbonization strategies in mining and supply chains of critical raw materials in the context of the European Green Deal

Your tasks
You will perform prospective environmental Life Cycle Assessment (pLCA) of critical raw material (CRM) extraction processes and associated supply chains on a global level. These CRM supply chains represent a central pillar of the transformation of the European economy and society towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions and their decarbonization will have to be ensured without causing major environmental trade-offs. In this context, you will integrate material flow analysis (MFA) and pLCA and investigate recycling and circular economy options to reduce demand for primary material supply. Further, you will evaluate a broad portfolio of options to decarbonize the CRM supply chains from mineral extraction to end-of-life of the products using those CRM, including low-carbon technologies, but also material substitution, 2nd life applications and material efficiency measures. In addition, you will analyze geographical differentiation of CRM supply chains in the context of supply risks.

To this end, you will collaborate with leading experts in mining and supply chain management. You will use the brightway and premise LCA frameworks, linking energy system or integrated assessment models and LCA. Furthermore, you will (further) develop approaches for regionalized LCA and apply these to CRM value chains worldwide to consider regional or even site-specific boundary conditions and to quantify impacts on human health and ecosystems in a regionalized way.

Key research issues include the identification and the quantitative evaluation of decarbonization strategies for CRM supply chains key to reach European net zero targets; the quantification of environmental co-benefits and adverse side-effects of such CRM value chains from a pLCA perspective; and how European CRM supply can be diversified in the future considering a broad range of potential supply risks, also in the context of relevant policy initiatives such as the European Critical Raw Material Act.

All tools and workflows will be open and FAIR. Your work will be part of a Horizon Europe project with leading research institutions and direct collaboration with industrial partners.