PostDoc or Scientist responsible for assessing and quantifying the potential of biobased and biodegradable polymers to substitute fossil based non-biodegradable polymers

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa’s around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
Empa’s Technology & Society Laboratory (TSL) is dedicated to creating and sharing knowledge supporting the transformation to a sustainable society within planetary boundaries by analyzing and evaluating novel materials and technologies from a circularity, life cycle impacts and safety perspective, and providing guidance for designing more sustainable materials, technologies and systems.
The Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Group (ERAM) has great experience in modeling mass flows and environmental releases of plastics and in assessing their sustainability.
PostDoc or Scientist responsible for assessing and quantifying the potential of biobased and biodegradable polymers to substitute fossil based non-biodegradable polymers
Your tasksThe postdoc or scientist will model the mass flows of biobased and biodegradable polymers through our society and their releases into the environment. A special focus will be on agricultural uses and their accumulation in soils. Using the results, the potential of biodegradable polymers to mitigate microplastic pollution will be assessed, comparing their effectiveness to conventional, non-biodegradable polymers.
Your profile
Master Degree or PhD in environmental/natural sciences or engineering or similarExperience with development of computational modelsPreferably some experience with plastics, e.g. release studies or risk assessmentExperience in scientific writing and publishingExcellent communication skills and fluency in English (both written and oral)
Our offer
A highly stimulating interdisciplinary research environment in a laboratory with more than 50 scientists dedicated to sustainability transformationOpportunities to present your work at scientific conferences and to publish in high quality journals Personal and professional development support

The position is located in St. Gallen and temporary for two years.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities – that’s what counts.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.