Postdoc in material flow analysis and resource management

The SDU Life Cycle Engineering at the Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in material flow analysis and resource management. The position is initially offered for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on available funding.

The position will focus on quantitative assessment of material and resource systems. The work will involve analysis of material stocks and flows, resource use, waste management and recycling, and associated environmental impacts across different material systems and end-use sectors.

The postdoc will apply material flow analysis, life cycle assessment and scenario analysis to support research on resource and waste management. Application areas may include plastics, phosphorus, critical raw materials and other material systems.

The position will contribute to ongoing research projects and activities at SDU Life Cycle Engineering.

Main tasks

The main tasks include

• Quantifying material stocks and flows across different material systems and end-use sectors
• Assessing secondary resource availability and future resource demand
• Applying life cycle assessment and scenario analysis
• Contributing to scientific publications and research projects
• Contributing to teaching and supervision within relevant areas

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have

• A PhD in environmental engineering, industrial ecology, environmental science or a related field
• Strong experience with material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, and scenario analysis
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• A strong publication record in relevant international journals
• Experience in international research collaboration
• Good written and spoken English
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team

• Experience with plastics, phosphorus, critical raw materials or related resource systems will be considered an advantage.
• Research environment
• As a postdoc, you will conduct independent research, contribute to high-quality scientific publications and participate actively in a collaborative research environment.
• You will join SDU Life Cycle Engineering, where research covers industrial ecology, material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, circular economy and energy system optimization.
• The position provides opportunities for collaboration across SDU and with external partners, including international conferences and research visits.

Application

The application must be submitted in English through the SDU online recruitment system.

Assessment of applicants will be based on the submitted application material. The application must include

• Curriculum Vitae
• A motivated application describing the applicant’s research interests, relevant qualifications and motivation for applying
• PhD degree certificate(s)
• A list of publications with the most relevant publications highlighted
• Documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

Submission guideline: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is 10. September 2026 at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

The successful candidate will be affiliated with SDU Life Cycle Engineering at the Department of Green Technology. The research environment conducts interdisciplinary research on the global and systemic interactions between materials, technologies, energy, the environment and society.

The Department of Green Technology is located in Odense, the main campus of the University of Southern Denmark. Odense offers an international research environment and an open Scandinavian working culture.

Further Information

Further information about the scientific content of the position is available from

Wu Chen

Associate Professor

Department of Green Technology

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

University of Southern Denmark

Email: [email hidden]

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an expert or assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process .

Employment terms

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 1-year period, and the preferred start date is from 15 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary. Further information on salary and taxation.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.