DescriptionThe Center for Life Cycle Engineering at the Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant position focused on the prospective environmental assessment of emerging marine-based biorefinery systems. The position is based in Odense, Denmark, and is available from April 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position ends on July 30 April 2028.
The Research Assistant will support the development of a comprehensive and forward-looking environmental assessment framework for marine biomass valorization and biorefinery pathways. The work will involve integrating quantitative sustainability assessment tools with technology and value chain scenarios to evaluate environmental performance, circularity potential, and long-term resource implications of marine-derived bio-based products.
The position offers the opportunity to contribute to an emerging research area at the interface of life cycle assessment, marine biotechnology, circular economy strategies, and sustainable process design.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop prospective environmental assessment models for marine-based biorefinery systems
- Conduct life cycle assessment of upstream and downstream processes.
- Integrate techno-economic and resource efficiency data into environmental modelling
- Analyse sustainability trade-offs, circularity potentials, and scenario-based system transformations
- Produce sustainability indicators, environmental profiles, and comparative performance metrics
- Prepare scientific reports, documentation, and contributions to dissemination activities
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers working in bioprocessing, marine biomass utilization, and sustainability assessment
Required
- A completed MSc degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Ecology, Marine Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Documented experience with Life Cycle Assessment in any software platform
- Knowledge of environmental modelling, quantitative sustainability assessment, and system-level analysis
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Ability to work independently and in collaborative research environments
Desirable
- Experience with prospective or scenario-based LCA
- Familiarity with marine biomass, biorefinery systems, or circular bioeconomy concepts
- Experience with techno-economic assessment, S-LCA, or LCC
- Programming or scripting capabilities in Python, R, MATLAB, or similar
- Experience with data processing, model automation, or simulation tools
- Interest in contributing to teaching, supervision, or outreach activities
Other Competencies
- Ability to synthesise complex datasets and present results clearly
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Motivation to contribute to scientific publications and knowledge generation
- Capacity to work in interdisciplinary and international research settings
SDU Life Cycle Engineering
The successful candidate will join SDU Life Cycle Engineering, a research environment known for developing and applying advanced methods for environmental sustainability assessment of technologies and value chains. The Department of Green Technology is located at the main campus in Odense within a vibrant international academic community.
Further information about this position is available from Associate Professor Benyamin Khoshnevisan bekh@igt.sdu.dk or Head of SDU LCE, Professor MSO Morten Birkved morb@igt.sdu.dk.
If you experience technical problems during the application process you must contact support-sdujob@sdu.dk.
Conditions of employment
Employment as a Research Assistant is temporary and limited to the duration of the position. Appointment to the position 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 with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for research assistants as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.
The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser.
The assessment and evaluation process
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.
Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.
Application
Applicants are encouraged to read the information "How to apply" before applying.
To qualify for the position as research assistant you must have obtained a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) by the employment date.
Attached files must be in Adobe pdf-format. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected. In case you have more than one file per field you need to combine the pdf-files into a single file, as each field handles only one file. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb.
The application must be in English.
The application must include the following documents:
- Motivation Letter: A clear and concise statement describing your motivation for applying and explaining why you are a strong match for the position.
- Curriculum Vitae: Include detailed information on your previous employment, research and teaching experience, academic background, publications, and personal contact information.
- Two-Page Research Plan: Outline your proposed research activities, including key objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Academic Certificates and Diplomas: Provide copies of your BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees (if applicable). Documents must be accompanied by official translations in Danish or English.
- List of Selected Publications: Include only publications that are directly relevant to the position. Clearly indicate which publications are attached to the application.
- References: Contact information for two academic or professional references is mandatory.
Applicants may also include reference letters and other supporting documents that demonstrate their qualifications and suitability for the position.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
The application deadline is January 30, 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)
We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.
Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.
