The Energy and Process Systems Engineering (EPSE) Group at ETH Zürich is looking for a Postdoc exploring pathways to a circular carbon economy, with a focus on plastics recycling. The position focuses on integrating recycling, carbon capture & utilization, and bio-based technologies to shape a sustainable future industry for plastics and beyond.
The EPSE group, led by Prof. Dr. André Bardow, is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy and chemical process systems. Our research spans from the molecular level to the scale of systems. We develop simulation and experimental methods to advance sustainable energy and chemical processes from the molecular to the system scale.
Project background The vision of our recently funded ERC Advanced Grant DISC3Lab is to devise a validated discovery loop for sustainable chemical processes, targeting the solvent-based recycling of plastics. Chemical recycling is a key element of a transition towards a chemical industry within the Planetary Boundaries. However, the current process design paradigm is too slow, labor-intensive, and fragmented between disciplines.
This project will investigate optimal pathways for creating a circular industry that maximizes the alternative technologies' potential and synergies by employing plastics recycling, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), and biomass. This analysis will identify the future potential and performance targets for novel technologies, aiding the chemical industry's transition towards safe operation within the planetary boundaries.
Job description
- The project adopts a comprehensive systems perspective on the early-stage development of future technologies in the chemical and plastic industry
- Your work will range from modeling individual technologies for alternative carbon sources to conducting techno-economic and life cycle assessment of integrated chemical and plastic production systems using mathematical optimization
Specifically, you will participate in:
- Advancing in-house models covering the global production pathways of large-volume chemicals and plastics
- Integrating novel technologies for alternative carbon flows, focusing in particular on chemical recycling, but considering carbon capture and utilization, and biomass utilization
- Identifying sustainable supply chains of the chemical and plastic industry using mathematical optimization and assessing trade-offs between environmental targets
- The work will deepen your understanding of the chemical and plastics industry and its techno-economic and environmental assessment
- You will learn to identify optimal technologies that meet environmental constraints, enhancing your knowledge of the environmental benefits of recycling, carbon capture and utilization, and bio-based technologies
- Collaboration with partners from industry and academia will be crucial for success
- Notably, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with and ultimately co-supervise a group of PhD students working on the same project
- These students will advance predictive and experimental methods targeting separations and the thermophysical properties of complex fluids involved in solvent-based plastic recycling
Profile
- We are looking for a proactive and motivated candidate who meets the requirements for a position at ETH Zurich and has a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, or energy science & technology from a recognized university
- Ideally, you already have strong experience in conceptual process design and simulations, life cycle assessment, alternative carbon source technologies, and programming
- You are highly motivated to learn and apply modern simulation and optimization techniques and work in a dynamic environment with other doctoral students and postdocs
- The ability to work independently and excellent communication skills in English (both written and spoken) complete your profile
We offer ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.
We offer you a full-time position for the duration of your postdoc, starting upon agreement with the earliest starting date of October 1st, 2026. The position is planned for 2 years with an initial contract for one year. You will work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers with in-depth experience in process design, energy system optimization, and life cycle assessment. As an integral part of your work, you will publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences. The role does not necessarily entail teaching, but you will be given the opportunity to contribute to the group's teaching activities if so desired.
> Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich We value diversity and sustainability In line with
our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our
Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a
climate-neutral future.
Curious? So are we. We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae, max. 2 pages
- Motivational Letter, max. 2 pages
- Transcript of records
- Contact details of 2 referees
Please, do not submit compressed files.
For further information about the Energy and Process Systems Engineering (EPSE) Group, please visit our
website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Emiliano Casati
casatie@ethz.ch or
mavt-epse-admin@ethz.ch (no applications).
Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal before 7 August 2026. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
We will get in touch with you after 2-3 weeks following the submission deadline.
