ETH Zurich’s Energy Politics Group (EPG) together with the Materials and Device Engineering Group (MaDE) are seeking a PhD candidate in Technology and Public Policy to work on lithium-ion battery supply chain footprint analysis and more specifically on the question of how batteries’ footprint can be reduced by means of technological innovation and recycling. This PhD position is part of an interdisciplinary research project on Designing Sustainable Global Supply Chains (DSGS) within ETH Zurich’s Institute of Science, Technology and Policy (ISTP). It involves several principle investigators from four departments focusing on different supply chains and policy interventions.
Within the DSGS project, the tasks of the student comprise several steps, such as: (i) the construction of an abatement cost curve on various environmental dimensions, including CO2 emissions; (ii) an analysis of the technological change required to realize the largest abatement options identified under step (i); (iii) an assessment of policy options to incentivize the realization of these projects, including an industry label. The PhD project will combine several methods, including patent analysis, techno-economic modelling, policy analysis, and expert interviews. The student will be co-supervised by Prof. Schmidt (EPG) and Prof. Wood (MaDE) and closely collaborate with PIs and fellow PhD students within the DSGS project. The position is for up to four years. The salary is in accordance with the Swiss National Science Foundation PhD regulation.
We offer an entrepreneurial research atmosphere within an interdisciplinary and highly relevant project at continental Europe’s leading research university. Candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to the consortiums’ research discussions and are encouraged to co-advise master’s students. EPG and MaDE belong to the leading research groups in their respective fields. They collaborate with other national and international academic and policy institutions (e.g., UC Berkeley, MIT, CMU). Our offices are centrally located in Zurich. The exact starting date is negotiable, a start in early 2021 would however be preferred.
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering, applied natural sciences, energy sciences/engineering, innovation studies and technology management, or science, technology and public policy. Interdisciplinary candidates are welcome. A good understanding of battery technology is an important asset. You should be dedicated to scientifically rigorous work that at the same time is relevant to decision makers in the public and private sectors. Your working style is team-oriented and you have strong communication skills. You are highly proficient in English; further language skills are an additional asset.