Christoph Helbig

University of Bayreuth is advertising a funded PhD position for a Doctoral Researcher (m/f/d) in Life Cycle Assessment and Resource Efficiency of Lignin-Based Materials within the project LignUp . The project explores how lignin, a waste stream from the pulp and paper industry, can be transformed into porous carbon materials for batteries, supercapacitors, and adsorbents for critical metal recovery and water treatment. The doctoral researcher will focus on assessing the environmental impacts and resource efficiency of these lignin-based materials and on analysing environmental and policy pathways for a transition to bio-based materials. The position is embedded in a consortium led by Friedrich Schiller University Jena and involving partners such as Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Hochschule Nordhausen, Fraunhofer IKTS, and the University of Bayreuth. The Chair of Ecological Resource Technology at Bayreuth works on modelling, simulation, and evaluation of global material cycles, with emphasis on industrial ecology, raw material criticality assessment, material flow analysis, and life cycle assessment. Research keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Resource Efficiency, Lignin-Based Materials, Circular Economy, Environmental Policy, Material Flow Analysis, Bio-based Materials, Sustainability, Industrial Ecology. Eligibility highlights: a very good or good master's degree in engineering, natural sciences, or a related field; preference for candidates with experience in LCA, material flow analysis, bio-based materials, circular economy, OpenLCA, Brightway, ecoinvent, or Python; English C1 and German A2 are required, with motivation to improve German further. Funding: the position is funded for 3 years by the Carl Zeiss Foundation under its Breakthrough programme, with TV-L E13 salary and full-time employment. The offer also includes mentoring, international connections, and graduate school training. Application window: apply online by 30 June 2026 using the keyword “ÖRT LignUp” . Required documents include a motivation letter, summary of the master’s thesis, CV, and certificates. Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Helbig, University of Bayreuth, [email protected].

The University of Bayreuth is seeking a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to join the ERC-funded SEMPATHY project under the supervision of Professor Christoph Helbig. This position focuses on Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and the development of innovative Material Pathway Analysis methods to track metals throughout their lifecycle, from mining to recycling. The research will involve developing data structures for global metal flow compositions and analyzing the lifecycle of metals, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and closing material cycles. The successful candidate will work within an international, interdisciplinary team and benefit from a fully funded position (TV-L E13, 75% with a possible 25% increase), generous travel and open access funding, and support from the UBT Graduate School and Welcome Center. The project is based in Bayreuth, Germany, offering a high quality of life in Upper Franconia. Applicants should have a relevant background in environmental science, materials science, engineering, or related fields, and a passion for sustainability and data-driven research. The application deadline is 9 January 2026. For more information, interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Helbig directly.

The University of Bayreuth is seeking a Doctoral Researcher to join the ERC-funded SEMPATHY project under the supervision of Professor Christoph Helbig, Professor of Ecological Resource Technology. The research will focus on developing next-generation Industrial Ecology methods for Material Flow Analyses, with a particular emphasis on Global Metal Pathways. This is an exciting opportunity for candidates interested in environmental science, resource technology, and sustainability research. The SEMPATHY project aims to advance the field of Industrial Ecology by innovating new methodologies for analyzing material flows at a global scale. The successful candidate will work within a dynamic research environment, collaborating with experts in ecological resource technology and contributing to impactful research on sustainable resource management. Applicants should possess a relevant master's degree in environmental science, industrial ecology, or a closely related discipline. Experience with material flow analysis and data analysis is highly desirable. The position is fully funded by the European Research Council, providing financial support for the duration of the doctoral studies. The University of Bayreuth offers a vibrant academic community and access to state-of-the-art research facilities. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply directly to the University of Bayreuth. For more information, refer to the LinkedIn post or contact Professor Christoph Helbig via his LinkedIn profile. This position is ideal for those passionate about sustainability, global resource flows, and innovative research in industrial ecology.

The University of Bayreuth is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Chair for Ecological Resource Technology within the ERC Starting Grant project 'SEMPATHY'. The research group specializes in the modeling, simulation, and evaluation of global material cycles, with a focus on sustainable technical systems for metals and mineral resources. The project aims to develop a novel modeling approach for global and sustainable metal cycles, addressing the challenge of closing material cycles to limit the environmental impact of metals in the technosphere. The technical lifespan of many metals is short, and the project will develop the Material Pathway Analysis method to better model metals in materials, components, products, and waste streams throughout their life cycle. The position involves developing a modeling framework for material path analysis, creating new methodologies for calculating material flows, and researching innovative visualization techniques for mixed material flows. The successful candidate will also co-supervise work packages within the SEMPATHY project, conduct independent research, coordinate with research partners, and disseminate results through publications and conferences. The position offers a supportive environment for scientific and personal development, including opportunities for international research exchange, further qualification courses, and integration of research results into a habilitation procedure. The salary is based on the German public service pay scale (TV-L E13), with generous travel and open access funding. The position is temporary, funded by project grants, and may last two years with the possibility of extension or up to five years. Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field, excellent English skills, and ideally experience in critical raw materials, circular economy, recycling, or related areas. Programming skills in Python or similar languages are desirable. The University of Bayreuth values diversity and encourages applications from women, individuals with children, and persons with disabilities. The application deadline is November 14, 2025. For more information, contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Helbig.