Researcher Prospective Life Cycle Assessment for technologies in the energy system

The Sustainability & Circularity Assessment team in VITO provides science and fact-based advice with focus on the built environment and energy technologies. The team is part of EnergyVille, a collaboration between the Belgian research partners VITO, KU Leuven, IMEC and UHasselt.

We are looking for a driven Prospective Life Cycle Assessment Expert for technologies in the energy system to support our interdisciplinary team.

Within our experienced and motivated team, we conduct research in the field of renewable energy technologies focusing on the energy transition, including power-to-X, carbon capture and sequestration, batteries and solar cells technologies. We work for and with a variety of companies and governments, at local, European and worldwide level.

But most important, we are a great team that has fun together! Does this sound good to you? Then you might just become our enthusiastic new colleague ...

Some of your tasks:

• Contribute to the full process of research and consultancy projects from start to finish, including the proposal preparation, data gathering, modelling, result interpretation and documentation and dissemination.

• Assess the present and future environmental impacts of energy technologies using the prospective LCA methodology.

• With your professional experience and background, you actively contribute to the formulation of our research strategy in the field of prospective LCA. You share your knowledge and contribute to selected research tracks within the team.

• Offer scientific advice to industry and public institutions on the sustainability of energy systems. Our project portfolio comprises European and international clients.

Above all, you help envision the role of innovative technologies in the energy system for the day after tomorrow. Are you interested in contributing? Read on!

• You hold a Master's degree in a relevant field (engineering, environmental science, computer science, etc.), a PhD is a plus.

• Demonstrable experience in the field of LCA is essential.

• Knowledge of ex-ante/prospective LCA is an asset.

• You have experience in working and managing research and development projects and/or consultancy. You can develop activities and can deliver results independently.

• You are a flexible and result-oriented team player able to work autonomously.

• You have excellent analytical skills and can translate research results to clients, stakeholders and a non-expert audience.

• You are adept at communicating and writing clear, understandable reports in English.

• Experience with advanced LCA software (e.g. Brightway and Activity Brower) and programming (e.g. Python) is a plus.

• Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Dutch is of added value but not required.

Offer

• You have real impact as you look for innovative solutions for today's and tomorrow’s challenges.

• You are supported by excellent, helpful and fun colleagues that are eager to share their expertise in the field.

• You will be part of an organization where we show integrity and always strive for mutual benefit in close cooperation with all parties involved.

• VITO/EnergyVille is an international organisation: 40 different nationalities work with us. Our working language is English.

• On average we meet 2 days a week in our EnergyVille office in Genk. We work ‘activity based’: our activities determine our workplace. For the other days you can choose to work remotely from home or at one of our satellite offices (for example in Leuven or Antwerp-Berchem) depending on the needs of the activity.

• You will learn life-long and develop your skills further by using the newest of the latest technologies that you can test on the market yourself.

• We consider work-life balance to be of paramount importance at VITO. We are open to discuss your needs at any time and we have a flexible approach to finding solutions.