LCA Researcher in Energy Systems

VITO is an independent research institute that operates in today's economic and societal reality. Our main drivers are turning fundamental research into solutions and creating value for other companies and governments.

In VITO/EnergyVille, we are currently seeking a motivated and skilled (prospective) life cycle assessment (LCA) researcher to join our SESAM (Sustainable Energy Systems Assessment & Modelling) team within our Water & Energy Transition unit. SESAM is part of EnergyVille, a collaboration between the Belgian research partners VITO, KU Leuven, IMEC and UHasselt. Our research is applied to renewable energy technologies focusing on the energy transition and includes power-to-X, carbon capture and sequestration, batteries and solar cells technologies.

Some of your responsibilities:

• Offer scientific advice to industry and public institutions on the sustainability of energy systems. Our project portfolio comprises European and international clients.
• You are eager to start exploratory talks with potential clients, identification of their needs and you will contribute to acquiring projects by writing offers and project proposals.
• Assess the present and future environmental impacts of energy technologies using the LCA methodology.
• Monitor the project progress within the project team and align with the external partners. You will also share the results with project stakeholders.
• Ensure innovation in our expertise in terms of further developing prospective LCA.
• You will share your knowledge, gain new knowledge and get the best out of yourself and your colleagues.

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 have a Master's degree in a relevant domain (engineering, environmental science, computer science, etc.). A PhD and experience with scientific publishing are a plus.
• You have experience with LCA. Knowledge of ex-ante/prospective LCA or energy systems analysis is a plus.
  
• You have experience with LCA software (particularly Brightway and Activity Brower) and programming (e.g. Python),
  
• You have experience working on consultancy and/or research and development projects. 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 write clear and comprehensible deliverables and reports.
  
• Knowledge of Dutch is an added value but not required.

Offer 

• You have a real impact as you look for innovative solutions for today's and tomorrow's challenges.
  
• You are supported by helpful and fun colleagues who are eager to share their expertise in the field.
  
• You will be part of an organization where we show integrity and strive for mutual benefit in close cooperation with all parties involved.
  
• VITO/EnergyVille is an international organization: 40 different nationalities work with us. Our working language is English.
  
• We work 'activity-based': our activities determine our workplace. On average, we meet 2 days a week in our EnergyVille office in Genk. For the other days, you can choose to work remotely from home or at one of our satellite offices (for example, 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.
  
• At VITO, work-life balance is paramount. We are open to discuss your needs at any time and are flexible in our approach to finding solutions.