The Faculty of Science, Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) and the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University College, are looking for a:

Postdoc Researcher on information- and decision-support systems for sustainability and circularity

Contribute to the development of digital solutions to enable informed decision-making grounded on a sustainable and responsible use of resources in manufacturing.

Vacancy number 15918

Key responsibilities
As part of this Postdoc position, you will be contributing to ongoing research projects where data management, processing and aggregation is pivotal to support complex decision-making. Through close collaboration with projects stakeholders, you will contribute to the development of data exchange protocols for Digital Product Passports and to the development of Decision Support Systems.

The focus of the position is the Lasers4MaaS project (https://lasers4maas.eu/), which will deliver a digital platform to enable manufacturers to make more sustainable and cost-effective products on demand. In this project, we are contributing to the development of future sustainable factories for manufacturing-as-a-service. This requires the connection of information systems to enable the exchange of data from operations to sustainability-based decision support. As a Postdoc researcher in this project, you will develop DSS and harmonize data collection protocols for sustainability and circularity assessment. These will be integrated into a manufacturing digital twin of laser technologies as a service, streamlining decision support for industrial operations.

While the position is focused on the Lasers4MaaS projects, the right candidate should be motivated to connect and explore collaboration opportunities within our institute on topics of data, digitalization and decision support system for sustainability and circular economy.

The main responsibilities within this role concern:

• Establishing data exchange protocols with data providers in the sectors of automotive, nuclear fusion, packaging, aerospace and hydrogen production.
• Creating and using harmonized datasets to enable the use of LCA and the prototyping of the Digital Product Passports.
• Developing Decision Support Systems for performance, sustainability, circularity and cost information to be integrated into a digital twin of Lasers4Maas operations.
• Identifying with project partners sustainability and circularity alternatives to be integrated into the Decision Support Systems.
• Further exploring own interests and their relationship with future developments in the industrial ecology field

What you bring
This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• You hold a PhD in one these fields:
  • computer science, information science, industrial ecology, operational research, environmental process engineering, environmental sciences, or another related field
• You have expertise in one or more of these areas:
  • Data management and programming (e.g., Python)
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  • Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
  • Multiple Objective Optimization (MOO)
• In case you do not have all the desired expertise, you demonstrate strong motivation to develop yourself in those areas.
• You have recorded experience in planning and executing research tasks.
• You have excellent social and communication skills and the ability to collaborate with other researchers, industry and policy actors.
• You have excellent English language skills in writing and speaking.

Where you will work

Your position will be embedded in the Department of Industrial Ecology of the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)(Faculty of Science) and the Decision Engineering for Sustainability and Resilience (DESIRE) Laboratory of Leiden University College (Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs).

The Institute of Environmental Sciences CML at the Faculty of Science

CML is a global leader in the field of sustainability assessment, especially Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis and Environmental Input-Output Analysis. It offers a vibrant and supportive community of scientists committed to the challenges of sustainability, with a multidecade record of leading the field of industrial ecology in Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis and Environmental Input-Output Analysis. CML distinguishes itself for its attention to professional development in coordination with the interests of its scientists. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, expand your knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and experiment in a friendly environment fully embodying academic freedom across all career levels.
CML is part of the Faculty of Science, which is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. For more information about the Science Faculty, click here.

The DESIRE laboratory at Leiden University College, Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

The DESIRE Laboratory is a key player in the development of Decision Support Systems (DSS) with Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis/Aiding (MCDA). It (i) provides state-of-the-art, adaptable and transparent strategies to formulate, model and support better decision-making, (ii) develops and applies decision support tools to tackle sustainability and resilience-related challenges, and (iii) trains future decision engineers to tackle complex decision-making.

The DESIRE Laboratory is part of Leiden University College The Hague (LUC), the international English-language Honours College of Leiden University. Talented and motivated students from all over the world come to The Hague especially to take part in the innovative Liberal Arts and Science programme that focuses on today's global challenges. For more than a decade, LUC can count on a spot in the Keuzegids Universiteiten as the best-rated University College in the Netherlands. The academic staff, with diverse backgrounds and disciplines, have a passion for teaching and education in which the student is central. LUC is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA), one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organisation has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members. For more information about the FGGA Faculty, click here.

Terms and conditions
We offer an initial one-year contract, with an option to extend for up to four years based on performance, following the pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 3.546 to € 5.538 gross per month based on a full-time position.

At our institution, we believe in flexibility and work-life balance! With a full-time position (38 hours per week), you are entitled to 232 vacation hours per year,which is equivalent to 30.5 vacation days (based on a 38-hour work week). If you value flexibility, you have the freedom to adjust your working hours. For example, you could choose to work 40 hours per week, earning extra compensation hours. Alternatively, if you prefer a shorter work week, you can work 36 hours per week by using some of your vacation days to create more time for yourself. You’ll work closely with your supervisor to tailor your schedule in a way that suits both your needs and the team’s.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Holiday allowance (8%) and an end-of-year bonus (8.3%)
• An attractive pension scheme with ABP, ensuring your financial well-being both now and in the future
• Extensive options for secondary employment conditions: You can explore options such as sabbaticals, paid parental leave, and the individual choices model, which allows you to exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits like an advantageous sports subscription, bicycle scheme, and childcare options
• Hybrid working options: If your role allows, you can enjoy the flexibility of working from home within the Netherlands
• Home-working allowance: You’ll receive a home-working allowance (for both workdays and internet), and the university will provide you with a laptop and support for creating a comfortable home office

We are committed to offering a flexible, supportive, and rewarding work environment, designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. For more information about the working conditions, please visit: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving, and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

Diversity
At the Faculty of Science, we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/dossiers/diversity
Female researchers are also welcome to join the Researchers In Science for Equality network of the Faculty of Science (rise.nu).

Information
Enquiries can be made to Dr. Marco Cinelli (m.cinelli@luc.leidenuniv.nl) or Dr. Franco Donati (f.donati@cml.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Motivation letter (max 2 pages).
• Name and contact details of at least two referees.

We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis, and we will continue the interviews until we identify the right candidate for the position.

We will respond to each submission within 10 business days.
Each applicant invited for interviews will undergo two rounds of interviews. During the first one, we want to introduce the team and get to know the candidate. During the second interview, we will have an in-depth conversation about personal development vision, answer specific questions about the project, and discuss potential research avenues of mutual interest.