Current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods are not specifically tailored to space activities, resulting in significant methodological gaps when modeling the environmental impacts of rocket and satellite launches or re-entry emissions. Time- and location-dependent Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods are either lacking or incomplete, and there is no holistic framework for transparent and reproducible LCA studies within the space sector.
As part of this role, you will develop an innovative scientific LCA framework designed to quantify environmental impacts and trade-offs associated with rocket launches, artificial re-entries, and the broader space sector. Your main focus will be on contributing to LCIA method development in close collaboration with aerospace engineers and atmospheric and climate scientists who are engaged in researching atmospheric emissions related to launch and re-entry activities. Additional responsibilities will include dynamic/prospective LCA, uncertainty assessment, robustness evaluation, and system design optimization.
You will be enrolled in the ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) doctoral school, receiving your PhD from ETH Zurich. This position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network SLICE (Space Launch Impact on Climate and Environment). You will enjoy the status of a SERI-funded MSCA DN Grantee and participate in valuable secondments, including visits to the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium in Davos, Switzerland, and Deimos Engineering and Systems SLU in Puertollano, Spain, for approximately three months each. In addition, you will collaborate closely with other SLICE research projects and participate in network training and workshops.
Horizon Europe MSCA Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (Switzerland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. Horizon Europe MSCA Eligibility Criteria: Doctoral Candidates (DC) must not have been awarded a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment by the host organization and must be eligible to enroll in a PhD program at ETH Zurich.
The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) offers an interdisciplinary, innovative, and collaborative environment supported by systematic on-the-job training and personal development opportunities. We provide strong support for balancing work with family or other commitments through modern employment conditions and on-site infrastructure.
The LCA team at PSI is a leading group in developing open Python packages for LCA, including Brightway, premise, and edges. You will receive hands-on training in LCA and work with these tools in conjunction with atmospheric emission, trajectory, and launcher optimization models from project partners such as LEAT, REAT, and WACCM.
As part of the SLICE consortium, you will join an international network of over 30 researchers across multiple disciplines, benefiting from a structured training program focused on space transportation systems and their atmospheric and environmental impacts. This position is funded for 36 months (extendable by up to 12 months) and includes a competitive salary, allowances, and additional funding for technical training and conference participation.
To apply for this position, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further inquiries, please contact Karin Treyer at karin.treyer@psi.ch.
Join us at the Paul Scherrer Institute to advance your career while making a meaningful impact in the space sector!
For additional information and other vacant positions, please visit our website: https://slice-dn.eu/ and follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/slice-dn/.
Location : Villigen PSI
Country : Switzerland