Postdoc in life cycle impact assessment of natural resources - DTU Sustain

Do you want to work with international front-runners in life cycle assessment? Do you want to innovate in the field of assessing impacts on natural resources in an inspiring environment with a strong research team? If so, this postdoctoral position might be the right fit for you!

You will develop a new life cycle impact assessment method for the characterization of metal resources for application in life cycle assessment (LCA) and absolute environmental sustainability assessment (AESA).

The position is offered at the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment of the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain). The section spearheads the development of sustainability assessment methods. You will become part of an energetic and team-based research environment with around 50 international staff members, postdocs, and PhD students. Interactions with researchers from the DTU’s Centre for Absolute Sustainability are foreseen.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within environmental sustainability assessment of metal resources. You will develop new life cycle impact methods and inventory procedures for metal resources, taking resource accessibility and dissipation into account.

Your primary tasks will be:

• Developing a new framework and computing indicators for assessing the impacts of metal resource addressing metal dissipation in technosphere
• Linking the developed indicators to current and emerging boundaries for metal resource use
• Developing inventory procedures for metals consistently with the developed indicators
• Participating in and contribute to related tasks and work packages in an international research project
• Participating in relevant teaching activities including the supervision of MSc student projects, and the co-supervision of PhD student projects

Required qualifications:

• You should have a PhD degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a similar field
• You should have expertise in the fields of life cycle impact assessment, MFA, or related areas particularly with a focus on natural resources
• Knowledge of mathematics and programming skills, is a clear advantage
• A strong motivation for research and excellent communication skills in English is essential for a successful application

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years. Expected starting date is 1 August 2026. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Mikolaj Owsianiak, email: miow@dtu.dk 

You can read more about DTU Sustain department at https://sustain.dtu.dk/en

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 19 May 2026 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• A brief (0.5-1 page) summary of expertise in one or more of the fields mentioned above

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development, scientific advice, and provides educational programs and services to society. We work to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 employees from more than 30 nationalities.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.