Research Assistant Position – Prospective Environmental Assessment of Marine-based Biorefineries

The Center for Life Cycle Engineering at the Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant position focused on the prospective environmental assessment of emerging marine-based biorefinery systems. The position is based in Odense, Denmark, and is available from April 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position ends on July 30 April 2028.

The Research Assistant will support the development of a comprehensive and forward-looking environmental assessment framework for marine biomass valorization and biorefinery pathways. The work will involve integrating quantitative sustainability assessment tools with technology and value chain scenarios to evaluate environmental performance, circularity potential, and long-term resource implications of marine-derived bio-based products.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to an emerging research area at the interface of life cycle assessment, marine biotechnology, circular economy strategies, and sustainable process design.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop prospective environmental assessment models for marine-based biorefinery systems
• Conduct life cycle assessment of upstream and downstream processes.
• Integrate techno-economic and resource efficiency data into environmental modelling
• Analyse sustainability trade-offs, circularity potentials, and scenario-based system transformations
• Produce sustainability indicators, environmental profiles, and comparative performance metrics
• Prepare scientific reports, documentation, and contributions to dissemination activities
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary researchers working in bioprocessing, marine biomass utilization, and sustainability assessment

Required

• A completed MSc degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Ecology, Marine Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Documented experience with Life Cycle Assessment in any software platform
• Knowledge of environmental modelling, quantitative sustainability assessment, and system-level analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently and in collaborative research environments

Desirable

• Experience with prospective or scenario-based LCA
• Familiarity with marine biomass, biorefinery systems, or circular bioeconomy concepts
• Experience with techno-economic assessment, S-LCA, or LCC
• Programming or scripting capabilities in Python, R, MATLAB, or similar
• Experience with data processing, model automation, or simulation tools
• Interest in contributing to teaching, supervision, or outreach activities

Other Competencies

• Ability to synthesise complex datasets and present results clearly
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Motivation to contribute to scientific publications and knowledge generation
• Capacity to work in interdisciplinary and international research settings

SDU Life Cycle Engineering
The successful candidate will join SDU Life Cycle Engineering, a research environment known for developing and applying advanced methods for environmental sustainability assessment of technologies and value chains. The Department of Green Technology is located at the main campus in Odense within a vibrant international academic community.

Further information about this position is available from Associate Professor Benyamin Khoshnevisan bekh@igt.sdu.dk or Head of SDU LCE, Professor MSO Morten Birkved morb@igt.sdu.dk. 

If you experience technical problems during the application process you must contact support-sdujob@sdu.dk. 

Conditions of employment
Employment as a Research Assistant is temporary and limited to the duration of the position. Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for research assistants as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Dan