Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) – Sustainability assessment of technical systems in the bioeconomy

The Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH), is filling a position as Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) – Sustainability assessment of technical systems in the bioeconomy

• Application deadline: 28. February 2026
• Publication date: 23. January 2026
• Start-date: At the earliest possible date.
• Scope of work: Full-time position
• Id no.: 00004798

Description

Your Challenges

 

·       Conduct research on the environmental and economic sustainability assessment of technical systems

·       Develop and apply sustainability assessment methods (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Social LCA, multi-criteria decision analysis, scenario analysis, system modelling)

·       Analyze and evaluate innovative energy, production, or circular economy systems in the bioeconomy

·       Publish research results in international peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences

·       Supervise students and participate in teaching activities

·       Collaborate in interdisciplinary research teams

 

Your Profile

 

·       Excellent master’s degree in industrial engineering, engineering sciences, environmental sciences, sustainability science, or a closely related field

·       Strong background in sustainability assessment of technical systems – ideally with a focus on upcycling, waste wood and bioeconomy

·       Experience with quantitative modeling and assessment methods and software (e.g. LCA software openLCA, one Click LCA, Simapro)

·       Programming skills (e.g., Python) and knowledge of operations research are desirable

·       Very good command of written and spoken English; knowledge of German is an asset or willingness to acquire it

·       Ability to work independently and in a structured manner, with strong motivation for interdisciplinary research

·       Team spirit and communication skills

 

We Offer

 

·       A challenging research position in a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment

·       Participation in national and international research projects

·       A supportive and collegial work environment

·       Flexible working hours and family-friendly working conditions

·       Job ticket, university-internal training courses and company pension scheme (VBL)

·       Salary according to TV-L E13, depending on qualifications

·       Contract duration: 2 years, with the possibility of extension

 

Application

 

Please submit your complete application documents (cover letter, CV, list of publications, certificates) by 28 February 2026 as a single PDF file via email to: Prof. Dr. Rebekka Volk (rebekka.volk@inatech.uni-freiburg.de).

The position is limited to 31. March 2028. The salary will be determined in accordance with E13 TV-L.

Application

Please send your application including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number 00004798, by 28. February 2026 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:

Institut für Nachhaltige Technische Systeme - INATECH
Professur für Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung Technischer Systeme
Emmy-Noether-Straße 2
79110 Freiburg

For further information, please contact Mrs. Prof. Dr. Rebekka Volk on the phone number +49 761 203 2716 or E-Mail rebekka.volk@inatech.uni-freiburg.de.