Position and Project description
We are forming a new research group to develop the area of Sustainable Product Development (SPD) at the Division of Product Development of the Department of Industrial and Material Science at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. This postdoc project is announced to welcome a researcher as an important part of that new group. Sustainable Product Development is here defined as when a strategic sustainability perspective is integrated and implemented into the early phases of the product innovation process and has the objective to support the acceleration of more sustainable and value-creating lifecycle solutions. The research is done in close collaboration with both researchers at the division and in collaboration with external partners.
In this postdoc project, you will contribute to the creation of novel knowledge and methods, as well as applying emerging and promising results into applied and real industrial contexts to mature and validate impact. It also includes developing the research area through the development and applicability of design strategies, simulation models, and other decision support to go beyond the EU’s Green Deal ambitions.
Research topics include for example: how to measure, quantify and visualize sustainability- and value-driven design criteria in early phases of the innovation process; develop design methodology approaches for sustainable- and circular solutions including the interplay between different actors in the value chain; design strategies to clarify risk- and value consequences from a socio-ecological sustainability perspective of proposed solutions; and, to anticipate and mitigate potential risks of rebound effects in early design.
Information about the division and the department
The Department of Industrial and Materials Science carries out research and education across a sustainable product and production lifecycle. The research activities include user-centered design, product development, computational mechanics, new materials, manufacturing, and circular production systems. The department is also heavily committed to teaching at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels in these areas. The department employs about 240 people.
You will be part of the Division of Product Development, one of six research divisions in the department. The Division of Product Development delivers research and education with a focus on new methods and tools for digital platform-based development of sustainable and robust products. Projects are often carried out in collaboration with the manufacturing and automotive industry.
We have a wide range of experience in the product development area and work both with simulations and experiments. The Division has expertise in design methodology, machine elements, mechanical engineering, computer-aided design, simulation, and optimization. The Division conducts research in three research groups: Geometry Assurance & Robust Design, Machine Elements, and Systems Engineering Design. A fourth research group in the area of Sustainable Product Development will now be developed.
We have a long tradition of solving complex problems together with industry. We collaborate with for example the automotive, aerospace, minerals, and pharmaceutical industries. We also participate in many international networks with both companies and universities.
Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as a postdoc is to perform your research in a research group.
The research is within the field of Product Development, with a focus on Sustainable Product Development. This includes individual research, co-supervision of Ph.D. students, design and management of research projects, participation in research projects, collaboration with external partners, and application for funding. It is expected that you contribute to publications in highly ranked journals, be active in international networking, and in the development of the research area of Sustainable Product Development at Chalmers.
The position also includes teaching on undergraduate and master’s levels as well as supervising master’s students, up to 20 % of full-time. The teaching could include, e.g., lectures, exercises, supervision of group work, personal coaching, and facilitation of dialogues and reflection.
A third important responsibility involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.
Qualifications
Mandatory qualifications:
– To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years before the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers).
– The Ph.D. degree should be in one of the following fields (or equivalent): sustainable design, engineering design, or engineering with a special focus on system analysis, innovation management, industrial design, material science, or industrial ecology.
– The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English.
– You are expected to have some teaching experience and demonstrate an interest in education and pedagogical work.
Meritorious qualifications:
– Demonstrate successful publications in high-ranked journals
– Documented experiences with cross-disciplinary studies
– Documented skills in analytical techniques (e.g. lifecycle assessments, system dynamics) and/or simulation modeling techniques, and/or quantitative measurement and visualization approaches
– Documented experience in design- and product development with industrial partners
– Programming
– Professional Swedish language skills
Contract terms
This postdoc position is full-time temporary employment for three years.
We offerChalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example, the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230362 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF files, as below. The maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
CV: (Please name the document as CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, including a complete list of publications
• Two references that we can contact.
Personal letter: (Please name the document as Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:• Introduce yourself• Explain why you are interested and suitable for this position
Research statement: (Please name the document as Research statement, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you include and describe:
• Previous research fields and main research results• Your future goals and future research focus
Teaching statement: (Please name the document as: Teaching statement, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you include and describe:• Documented teaching experiences
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
Other documents:
– Certified copies of completed education, grades, and other certificates
– 2-3 selected publications
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
Application deadline: September 1, 2023
For questions, please contact:
Professor Sophie Isaksson Hallstedt
Division of Product Development
Email: sophie.hallstedt@chalmers.se
Tel: +46 701-492697
Professor Johan Malmqvist
Division of Product Development
Email: johan.malmqvist@chalmers.se
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
URL to this page
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