Ph.D. position: Design for Circularity: Importance of material properties for the recyclability of plastic products (ESR 3)
Organization: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Department: Department of Environmental Engineering
Location: Copenhagen (Lyngby), Denmark
Type: PhD and Postdoc Positions
More information: View details
DTU Environment advertise two PhD positions in the C-PlaNeT programme. C-PlaNeT – Circular Plastics Network for Training (call H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019) is a training network of a new generation of 15 researchers for the EU’s circular economy, including the design, processing, use and reuse of plastics C-PlaNeT is a consortium of high-profile universities, research institutions and companies located in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom, Denmark and Greece. Each candidate will have a host institute, but will also need to spend 6 months at a partner institute.
Ph.D. position: Design for Circularity: Importance of material properties for the recyclability of plastic products (ESR 3)
Objectives: The objective is to investigate the requirements for real circularity of plastic materials and products. The focus will be placed on plastic recyclability and material functionality based on physico-chemical characterization of selected plastic, quantification of circularity and recommendations for design in view of collection and recovery strategies. The first aim is to identify key barriers for circularity of plastics with regards to functionality, legal requirements and recovery options. Secondly, chemical and product design requirements for an increased circularity potential in future products will be investigated. Finally recommendations for improved design in view of collection and recovery options will be provided.
Description: The PhD includes the following activities: literature review, methodology development, experimental research, writing of articles, teaching, courses, dissemination of research at workshops and conferences.The main activities will take place in the section of Residual Research Engineering at the DTU department of Environmental Engineering. The starting point for the work is experimental, but the work is expected to be analyzed in a systems perspective.
Required skills/qualifications: The applicant must have analytical skills, research potential, be well-organized and enterprising and possess good interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with other university departments, authorities and private companies. The applicant must master spoken and written English. The candidate should have laboratory experience within material and/or waste characterization, as well as lab investigations on material properties and functionality. This includes representative sampling, sample processing, physico-chemical analysis, material property testing and evaluation. The candidate should be able to put this into a larger system perspective.
Additional requirements:
Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. Part-time research experience will be counted pro-rata.
Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
Main supervisors:
Prof. dr. Thomas Astrup, dr. Anders Damgaard (DTU) CO-SUPERVISOR: Prof. dr. Kim Ragaert (UG)
START DATE: 01.04.2020 DURATION: 36 months
Further information:
Network website (read about the project): https://www.c-planet.eu
Call for applicants (more information on the positions): https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/454823
Application platform: https://econsort.ugent.be/regis.asp?frm=2092