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 Khoshnevisanbekh@ Head of SDU LCE Professor MSO Morten Birkvedmorb@.

If you experience technical problems during the application process you must contactsupport-sdujob@.

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 onsalary(only available in Danish) andtaxation.

The person employed in the position may based on a specific individual managerial assessment be exempted from time registration also known as a self-organiser.

The assessment and evaluation process

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment.Read about shortlisting at SDU.

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information and if so it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.

Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Application
Applicants are encouraged to read the informationHow to applybefore applying.

To qualify for the position as research assistant you must have obtained a masters degree (equivalent to a Danish masters degree) by the employment date.

Attached files must be in Adobe pdf-format. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password case you have more than one file per field you need to combine the pdf-files into a single file as each field handles only one box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb.

The application must be in English.

The application must include the following documents:

• Motivation Letter: A clear and concise statement describing your motivation for applying and explaining why you are a strong match for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae: Include detailed information on your previous employment research and teaching experience academic background publications and personal contact information.
• Two-Page Research Plan: Outline your proposed research activities including key objectives methodology and expected outcomes.
• Academic Certificates and Diplomas: Provide copies of your BSc MSc and PhD degrees (if applicable). Documents must be accompanied by official translations in Danish or English.
• List of Selected Publications: Include only publications that are directly relevant to the indicate which publications are attached to the application.
• References: Contact information for two academic or professional references is mandatory.

Applicants may also include reference letters and other supporting documents that demonstrate their qualifications and suitability for the position.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The application deadline is January 30 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST)

We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visitWork in Denmarkwhere you will find information and facts about moving to working and living in Denmark as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.

Further informationabout The Faculty of Engineering.