Current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods are not tailored to space activities and exhibit significant methodological gaps in modeling the environmental impacts of rocket and satellite launch or re-entry emissions. Time- and location-dependent Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods are either missing or incomplete. Consequently, a holistic framework for transparent and reproducible LCA studies in the space sector is urgently needed.
In this role, you will develop a novel scientific LCA framework to quantify environmental impacts and trade-offs associated with rocket launches, artificial re-entries, and the broader space sector. Your primary focus will be on advancing LCIA method development in close collaboration with aerospace engineers, atmospheric and climate scientists involved with emissions related to launch and re-entry activities, as well as engaging in dynamic and prospective LCA approaches. Additional tasks will involve uncertainty assessment, robustness evaluation, and optimization of system design.
You will be enrolled in the ETHZ (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) doctoral school and will receive your PhD title from ETHZ. This position is part of the Marie Sklodowska Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) -SLICE- (Space Launch Impact on Climate and Environment). As a -SERI-funded MSCA DN Grantee-, you will have the opportunity to visit the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium in Davos (PMOD, Switzerland) and Deimos Engineering and Systems SLU (DES, Puerollano, Spain) for approximately three months each. Close collaboration with other SLICE research projects and participation in network training and workshops will also be part of your experience.
*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 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 date of recruitment by the host organization. Applicants must also be eligible to enroll in a PhD program at ETHZ.
PSI provides an interdisciplinary, innovative, and collaborative environment that emphasizes systematic on-the-job training, personal development opportunities, and strong support for balancing work with family or other commitments through modern employment conditions and on-site infrastructure.
LEA is at the forefront of developing open-source Python packages for LCA, including Brightway, premise, and edges. You will receive hands-on training in LCA and work with these tools alongside atmospheric emission, trajectory, and launcher optimization models from project partners such as LEAT, REAT, and WACCM.
The SLICE consortium is an international network of over 30 researchers across multiple disciplines. You will benefit from a structured training program focused on space transportation systems and their atmospheric and environmental impacts. The position is funded for 36 months (extendable up to 12 months) with a competitive salary, allowances, and additional funding for technical training and conference participation.
Interested candidates are invited to apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For more information regarding the SLICE Doctoral Network and other vacant positions, please visit:
For further inquiries, please contact Karin Treyer at karin.treyer@psi.ch.
**Expected starting date:** 1 October 2026
**Application deadline:** 31 March 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Location : Villigen PSI
Country : Switzerland