Research Scientist, postdoc, LCA based sustainability assessment

The Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke) is looking for a Research Scientist, postdoc, LCA based sustainability assessment, for a 3-year position. The task is related to sustainability research carried out by Luke in the field of bioeconomy.

This postdoc position is part of the Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes in Finland. The programme is funded from the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. The programme recruits 85 new postdoctoral researchers to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen RDI competence in areas important to society and business. A postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.

The selected person will also take part in Luke's Doctoral Programme, which coordinates, develops, and monitors the qualification of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland.

Many new biobased products and solutions are under development and/or need to be developed, to substitute fossil options. In this postdoc position, researcher is expected to do high-quality sustainability research on bio-economy sector and its supply chains. You will work in research and customer projects, in which the main aim is to develop both life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies and practices and techno-economic assessment and their combined utilization to assess the environmental and economic sustainability performance of new biobased materials, when substituting fossil based and other products. In the methodological development of LCA, the emphasis is on improved, comprehensive and harmonized methods, including e.g. aspects related to the LULUCF sector, to compare environmental impacts and benefits of biobased and fossil solutions systems to show environmental performance of systems. From development of techno-economic assessment point of view, better quantified assessment methods and indicators, more accurate cost, income and life cycle costs data and related assessment methods are needed. Development and enhancement of integrated assessments is in the core of the work. Improved methods will be utilized in various practical applications and system level as well, providing information on the overall sustainability of the new products and solutions for both practitioners within the value chain and policy makers, and society.

The research will be carried out in collaboration with Luke scientists working on biobased production and sustainability assessment. The work also includes designing and planning of research plans, writing funding applications and customer offers and project management and science based communication.
The nature of the task requires strong computation and LCA skills.

Our expectations of the applicant

To be successful in this position, you should have a PhD in a relevant field (agriculture and forestry, natural sciences, engineering or economics) and strong computational skills and competence and experience in the area of environmental impacts assessment, preferably methodological LCA development and LCA applications, or experience in economic, techno-economic or life cycle costing methods and applications. Knowledge on agricultural, food, forest or other bioeconomy sector and substance of bioeconomy chains and operations would be advantage.

As an applicant, you have

• recently completed a doctorate (max 5 years ago) in one of the following fields: agriculture and forestry, natural sciences, engineering or economics
• demonstrated ability to publish in high quality peer-reviewed publication forums.
• strong skills in computation and mathematical modelling
• experience in life cycle assessment
• experience in sustainability research in bioeconomy sector
• excellent written and oral English
• ability and willingness to work collaboratively
• ability and willingness to work independently and learn new skills

We will also consider it an advantage if you have previous experience techno-economic assessments or life cycle costing.

We offer you

The well-being of our people and a positive approach towards innovation and development are particularly important to us. Our mobile work model allows you to work in Finland in the location most appropriate for your work. In addition, we provide flexible hours, and as your employment with us continues, long vacations. We offer lunch benefits, as well as sports, culture, or commuting support.

Clarifications

The person selected for the position might need to undergo standard security clearance vetting with the applicant’s consent (Security Clearance Act 726/2014). More detailed information on the procedure and the subject's rights is available at www.supo.fi.

Contact Information

Ilkka Leinonen
Research Professor
+358 29 532 2423
ilkka.leinonen@luke.fi

How to apply

Primarily, we request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the Valtiolle.fi service. However, you can also apply for this job by delivering your application to the Registry Office’s postal address. Both the application and the envelope must feature the ID number of the position applied for. The letter must be delivered by the end of the application period.

The Registry of Natural Resources Institute Finland

Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki, Finland

Organisation
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is a research and expert organisation that builds sustainable future and well-being from renewable natural resources. Through research, we create value and solutions for our customers and society by solving local and global challenges.

Being open-minded, curious, and having a strong will to make a positive impact in the world bind Luke people together. We value our diverse working community consisting of people with different backgrounds and cultures and promote equality. Sustainability is included in all our operations.

Location
Helsinki

Locations
You can work at one of our following locations

Helsinki
Latokartanonkaari 9
00790 Helsinki

Position information
Other information of the position

• More information: The location is Helsinki or some other Luke location (to be agreed separately). Please attach a letter of application, CV, research plan and list of publications to your application. The applicant's knowledge and experience of the postdoc position's research topic will be assessed based on the research plan (maximum 2 pages + reference list).
• Level of position: Specialists
• Remote work: Possibility to work remotely
• Description of the remote work: Mobile work is used at Luke. This means that work is performed where it suits best. Mobile work is only possible within Finland, and the practices of mobile work are agreed with the supervisor. We also meet regularly face-to-face.
• Reason for fixed-term employment: Nature of work
• Additional info about fixed-term employment: 3-year Postdoctoral Programme in Research Institutes.
• Working time format: Office working hours
• Trial period: A trial period is 6 months.
• Remuneration information: The position is at complexity level 8 - 9 in Luke's salary system and the position-specific salary is EUR 3 512,13 - 3910,89 per month. In addition, a salary component based on personal performance will be paid (max. 50% of the position-specific salary). A new employee's personal performance component depends on competence and experience and generally falls in the range of 15-20 %. The applicant may also present a separate salary request.