PhD Scholarship in Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Innovative Membranes from Recycled Materials

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship focused on the prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) of innovative membranes produced from recycled materials. This position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network UP2MEM, a European training network dedicated to advancing membrane technologies for water and food industries. The research aims to understand and mitigate the environmental and health impacts associated with the production and use of advanced membranes, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable practices in the sector. The successful candidate will conduct prospective LCA to evaluate the environmental sustainability of new membrane solutions, identifying environmental hotspots and potential improvements throughout the product life cycle—from production to end-of-life. The project will utilize the SIMPL approach to forecast lab-scale results to full-scale applications, incorporating PESTLE and causal loop diagrams to account for non-engineering factors and ensure a comprehensive value chain analysis. The research will also involve the evaluation of AQUAPORIN membranes and extend environmental screening to other membranes within the consortium, providing data-driven insights to guide the development of eco-friendly membrane technologies. The PhD candidate will collaborate closely with academic researchers and industry experts across Europe, participate in secondments at industry partners, and undertake a research stay at a partner university. The project supports the adaptation of the EU's Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to the specific challenges of membrane materials. DTU Sustain, the host department, is one of Europe's largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering, with a strong focus on developing sustainable technologies and solutions. The position offers a dynamic, international research environment, a competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development. The employment period is 3 years, starting preferably on 1 April 2026. Applicants should have a relevant master's degree (or equivalent) in materials engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Experience with LCA modelling, mass and substance balances, data quality assessment, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and familiarity with membranes or waste materials are advantageous. Prior involvement in EU-funded or international research collaborations is a plus. Proficiency in English is required, and candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule (not having resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment). Applications must be submitted online by 15 December 2025, including a cover letter, CV, grade transcripts, and degree certificates. For further information, contact Dr. Anders Damgaard or Dr. Wenjing (Angela) Zhang.