PhD candidate, Secure and sustainable supply of raw materials for strategic value chains
Key responsibilities
We are looking for an outstanding PhD candidate to work in the context of a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Agreement between Leiden University and the Joint Research Centre: the science and knowledge service of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy. The aim of the collaboration is to develop a novel framework to analyse competitive, resilient, responsible, and circular supply chains for the EU - Applications to examples related to the low carbon and digital transitions. Material requirements of the energy and digital transition will analysed in conjunction with material supply. Crucial technologies require multiple critical materials, each dependent on often complex supply chains. One major challenge lies in studying the supply chains simultaneously, in connection with each other and in connection with geo-political perspectives are non-existent. The introduction of novel and disruptive technologies that can significantly change the material requirements of society will be included in the analysis. The above requires an inclusive multi-disciplinary, forward looking approach to substantiate desired resilient, responsible, and circular supply chains.
You should have a strong interest in the analysis of material flows and stocks i.e. industrial ecology approaches and/or life cycle assessment;
You should have a MSc degree in either Industrial Ecology, Environmental Sciences or another relevant field, ideally with proven skills in producing scientific output (publications);
You have relevant experience in the analysis of material flows related to specific value chains such as for example renewable energy or the digital transition using relevant software tools;
You are comfortable with using data collected with different methods and across varying spatial scales;
You have strong interest in the European project;
You should be willing to spend 2 years at JRC in Ispra and 2 years in Leiden;
You are a team player, take initiative, and have a strong interest and motivation to pursue academic research;
Flexible attitude, keen interest in developing field skills;
Excellent English proficiency.
The PhD candidate will spend part of her/his PhD at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, in Ispra (Italy). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service which employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.
The candidate will join the Sustainable Resources Directorate, located at the JRC site in Ispra, Italy. For more information about the JRC, please consult https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en ; https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/research-topic/raw-materials ; https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/research-topic/green-and-resource-efficient-europe ;
https://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu .
The PhD candidate will initially be employed for 24 months at the JRC by a Grantholder Contract (Cat. 20, indicative gross annual salary, 40.966,56 €) in accordance with Grantholder rules and the applicable Vademecum. Further information can be found: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2014-08/jrc_grantholder_rules.pdf
Research at the Leiden faculty of Science
The PhD candidate will then be employed for 2 years at CML, Leiden University.
The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to contribute to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.
The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.
The Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) is positioned in the Faculty of Sciences. The core focus of CML is to perform research and education in the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Sciences. CML has two Departments: Industrial Ecology (CML-IE) and Environmental Biology (CML-EB). Presently, about 125 fte (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML collaborates with the TU Delft and Erasmus University in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS), Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, and other partners.
For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science and https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.
Information about CML can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science/environmental-sciences.
Terms and conditions
We offer a 24 months position at JRC and a 24 months position at Leiden University.
The candidate will start at JRC in Ispra (Italy) in Q2 2025 and be employed by a Grantholder contract (Cat. 20, indicative gross annual salary, 40.966,56 €) in accordance with Grantholder rules and the applicable Vademecum (See https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/working-with-us/jobs/temporary-positions/grantholders/contract-and-working-conditions ).
Candidates should, prior to the start of the employment contract with the JRC:
have the nationality of a Member State of the EU or a country associated to the Research Framework Programmes or being resident in a EU Member State since at least five years and
be enrolled in a PhD programme with the Higher Education Institution (HEI), in this case Leiden University.
During the 24 months at Leiden University the salary ranges from € 2.872 gross per month in the first year to € 3.670 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development.
All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science www.graduateschools.leidenuniv.nl. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.
Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.
The JRC cultivates a workplace based on respect for other people and the environment. The JRC embraces non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.
Information
Enquiries can be made to Prof. Dr. René Kleijn (kleijn@cml.leidenuniv.nl)
Applications
To apply for this vacancy, please send an email to sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:
CV
Motivation letter
A copy of a publication (master thesis, academic report or a paper of a university class)
The names and phone numbers of two referees
The selection will be made in two phases, first by University of Leiden and afterwards by JRC (in agreement with the University of Leiden).
Closing date for applications:
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