Current Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods are not specifically tailored for space activities, revealing significant methodological gaps in modeling the environmental impacts associated with rocket and satellite launch or re-entry emissions. There is a crucial need for time- and location-dependent Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods, which are either missing or incomplete. Additionally, a comprehensive framework for transparent and reproducible LCA studies within the space sector is lacking.
In this role, you will develop a pioneering scientific LCA framework aimed at quantifying the environmental impacts and trade-offs associated with rocket launches, artificial re-entries, and the wider space sector. Your primary focus will involve contributions to LCIA method development, working closely with aerospace engineers, atmospheric and climate scientists engaged in atmospheric emissions related to launch and re-entry activities, as well as dynamic/prospective LCA. Further aspects of your work may include uncertainty assessment, robustness evaluation, and system design optimization.
This position is part of the ETHZ (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) doctoral school, through which you will earn your PhD. You will be involved in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network -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, Davos, Switzerland) and Deimos Engineering and Systems SLU (DES, Puertollano, Spain) for approximately three months each. Collaboration with other SLICE research projects and active participation in network training and workshops are vital components of this role.
Join PSI and immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary, innovative, and collaborative environment that fosters systematic on-the-job training, personal development opportunities, and robust support for balancing work with family or other commitments through modern employment conditions and on-site infrastructure.
In collaboration with LEA, a leading group in developing open Python packages for LCA, including Brightway, premise, and edges, you will receive hands-on training on LCA and utilize these tools alongside atmospheric emission, trajectory, and launcher optimization models from our project partners such as LEAT, REAT, and WACCM.
As part of the SLICE consortium, you will engage with an international network of over 30 researchers across multiple disciplines. Benefit from a structured training program focused on space transportation systems, atmospheric, and environmental impacts. This position is funded for 36 months (extendable up to 12 months), offering a competitive salary, allowances, and additional funding for technical training and conference participation.
To apply, please do so online using the form below. Only applications that closely match the job profile will be considered.
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If you have any questions, please contact Karin Treyer at karin.treyer@psi.ch.
Paul Scherrer Institute
Human Resources Management
Mariusz Prus
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
Location : Villigen PSI
Country : Switzerland