94/2025 Postdoc / Senior Scientist (f/m/d) for Quantitative Ecological, Economic, and Social Sustainability Analyses of Energy Storage Technologies

Organizational unit

Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)

Job description

The research group "Research for Sustainable Energy Technologies" (RESET) focuses on various energy generation and storage technologies, with a particular emphasis on electrochemical storage systems (especially Power-to-X, H2 and batteries). This position within the RESET research group aims at further developing and managing a specific energy technology field. Your work will involve assessing and optimizing the environmental impacts of energy storage technologies, with a special focus on hydrogen, synthetic fuels (P2X), and thermal storage. Your tasks will include:

• Conducting life-cycle-oriented ecological, economic, and social sustainability assessments (prospective LCA, LCC, Social-LCA) of current and emerging energy technologies,
• Developing and maintaining tools, models, and databases to support sustainability and life cycle analyses,
• Leading and collaborating in national and EU projects to integrate sustainability aspects into product design, product development, and decision-making processes,
• Communicating results and recommendations to societal stakeholders and project partners within transdisciplinary activities; preparing reports, publications, presentations, and organizing workshops,
• Contributing to the development of new research areas and implementing sustainability strategies and initiatives.

Starting date

asap

Personal qualification

We expect:

• A university degree (Master’s) in engineering, natural, or environmental sciences with a completed PhD,
• Strong knowledge and experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and life cycle cost analysis (LCC),
• Familiarity with social sustainability assessment (S-LCA), multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and industrial ecology,
• Understanding of sustainability principles, life cycle analysis methods, and energy technologies, as well as systemic analysis in the energy sector,
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, strong organizational and communication skills,
• Excellent English language skills and (spoken and written), willingness to learn German
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary and international team.

Salary

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.