PhD position in advanced Life Cycle Assessment of next-generation low-fossil-carbon chemicals
INSA Toulouse is recruiting a PhD candidate for a project on advanced Life Cycle Assessment of next-generation low-fossil-carbon chemicals, within the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network PRIME LEAP.
The position is hosted at the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute and sits at the interface of life cycle assessment, process engineering, circular bioeconomy, low-fossil-carbon transition strategies, and potentially machine learning. The doctoral research focuses on the sustainability of emerging methane-to-chemicals pathways, especially integrated plasma and single-atom catalysis routes for producing platform chemicals such as ethylene.
The project aims to develop modular, prospective and parametric life cycle inventories, then perform dynamic and prospective LCA, uncertainty analysis, global sensitivity analysis, and resource criticality assessment. A major goal is to compare the environmental performance of PRIME LEAP pathways with relevant bio-based and petrochemical alternatives, and to identify when, where, and under what conditions low-fossil-carbon platform chemicals production could best be deployed in future European systems.
The PhD student will work on environmental assessment of frontier technologies, supporting open-access datasets, scientific publications, and evidence-based guidance for investment and policy decisions in the European chemical industry. The topic is especially relevant to candidates interested in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, industrial ecology, process modelling, sustainability assessment, and quantitative analysis of emerging technologies.
Supervision will be provided by Prof. Lorie Hamelin at INSA Toulouse, with Prof. Livia Giordano at the University of Milano-Bicocca as co-supervisor. The project includes a mandatory secondment of at least three months.
Funding is provided through MSCA Doctoral Networks for 36 months. The gross package includes a living allowance, mobility allowance, and, where applicable, a family allowance. The appointment is full-time, temporary, and based in Toulouse, France.
Eligibility highlights include a relevant master’s degree, excellent English, strong quantitative skills, and compliance with MSCA mobility and doctoral eligibility rules. The deadline is 30 August 2026.
