Postdoc Position: Safe and Sustainable by Design

1. Introduction

We are seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team and contribute to cutting-edge research in the field of Safe and Sustainable by Design. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on innovative models and approaches that ensure products and processes are developed with both safety and sustainability in mind. You will be part of an European project with the goal to investigate the application of a safe and sustainable design framework to evaluate alternatives for current plasticisers, flame retardants and surfactants in consumer goods together with industry. If you are passionate about contributing to a sustainable future and have the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply!

2. Job description

Your responsibility as a postdoctoral researcher will be to conduct advanced modelling and simulation to support safe and sustainable design principles. You will be collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in chemistry, environmental science, and related fields.

You will be expected to contribute to scientific publications and present research at international conferences. You will be engaging with both academic and industry stakeholders to implement research findings into practice.

3. Profile

• You should hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., chemical sciences, environmental sciences, or related fields).
• You have demonstrated experience in environmental modelling and simulation techniques in the field of life cycle assessment.
• A background in chemistry and/or environmental sciences is preferred.
• You have excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• You have the ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative environment.   

4. We are

The mission of the Department of Environmental Science is to provide high-quality scientific knowledge that can help the world move towards greater sustainability. To achieve this, we aim to understand and predict the impact of anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and humans from the landscape to the global scale and use the knowledge obtained to identify solutions for a more sustainable society.

Environmental Science is part of the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES) at the Faculty of Science. RIBES, consisting of four departments (Ecology, Plant and Animal Biology, Microbiology, and Environmental Science), has the aim to perform world-leading research in order to understand the response of the natural environment to human impact. This fundamental research is cross-linked with innovative applications in both industry and society with a focus on mitigating ecosystem degradation and climate change and finding solutions to restore the natural environment. We value a diverse workforce and strongly encourage candidates from non-traditional backgrounds or historically marginalised or underrepresented groups to apply.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of one year with the prospect of an extension of two years. 
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Prof Mark Huijbregts. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Thursday 5 December. You will preferably start your employment on 1 January 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.