Research Associate (Decarbonization and Future Food)

About TUMCREATE

TUMCREATE is a multidisciplinary research platform of the Technical University Munich (TUM) at the Singapore Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise(CREATE). We are joining forces with universities, public agencies, and industry for the advancement of future technologies.

Our research program undertaken with Nanyang Technological University, ‘Life Cycle and Economic Assessment of Emerging Technologies for Decarbonization’, proposed to quantify potential for direct and indirect environmental impact reduction in carbon footprint and water footprint. Through an overarching theme encompassing sustainability and economic assessment of emerging technologies for decarbonization and future food, a multidisciplinary team from different research programs including ‘Proteins4Singapore’ and ‘GreenCirc:Towards Zero-waste Valorisation’, will carry out LCA and economic analysis of 3 process pathways related to decarbonisation technologies: (i) Catalytic conversion of CO₂ to chemicals and fuels, (ii) Conversion of CO₂ to chemicals and fuels through synthetic biology and photo-bacterial processes, (iii) Catalytic process pathways for conversion of biomass to functional and feedstock chemicals.

Please visit www.tum-create.edu.sg for more information about TUMCREATE.

Job Purpose / Objective of the Position:

The Research Associate (PhD candidate) will have the unique opportunity to engage and collaborate with an interdisciplinary research initiative across different projects that unites leading experts working across diverse decarbonization and food processing pathways. These pathways include CO₂utilization via synthetic biology for fuel and food, catalytic conversion of CO₂ into sustainable aviation fuels and chemicals, and biomass transformation into fuels and value-added products. Emerging research fronts in convergence of Artificial Intelligence application in LCA tools and methodologies will also be investigated. Collaborative teams will design and advance innovative processes and technologies to support global net zero emission goals.

Your primary responsibility will be to support decarbonization and food processing projects through continuous LCA, including attributional, consequential, and prospective approaches. This will involve identifying environmental hotspots, conducting comparative assessments of alternative processes and products, and recommending effective mitigation strategies.

You will also undertake economic evaluations, including TEA, prospective cost analysis, and supply chain optimization, to assess the feasibility and commercialization potential of emerging technologies. The project integrates LCA, TEA, process modelling, and supply chain analysis, positioning the role at the interface of multi-pathway decarbonization strategies and systems level sustainability assessment.

This is a fixed term contract until September 2027 when applicable. Extension of contract is subject to availability of project funding and performance.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collect data and engage closely with subject matter experts to conduct life cycle assessments, evaluating and comparing the environmental footprints of various processes and process configurations.
• Perform techno economic and total value assessments of technologies and processes developed within the project.
• Undertake process modelling and scale up analysis of in house developed technologies, as well as benchmark them against existing techniques for comparative evaluation.
• Conduct comprehensive studies that address broader, global sustainability questions related to decarbonization,delivering system level assessments and forward-looking solutions.

Job Requirements/Competencies:

• Strong skills in mathematical modelling,process modelling, LCA and TEA.
• Experience in decarbonization and/or food processing, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into LCA and TEA will be considered highly valuable.
• Experience in the software tools and database: Process modelling and TEA: UniSim, SuperPro Designer, or Aspen plus; LCA tools: Brightway, OpenLCA, Simapro, Gabi (LCA for Experts) and LCA database: Premise, Ecoinvent.
• Experience on related standards such as ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067, GHG Protocol.
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary expertise at the interface of carbon capture and utilization, decarbonization strategies, food processing, process optimization, and a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles.
• Self-motivated and proactive learner with a strong passion for environmental sustainability and decarbonization.
• Passionate about domain of sustainability and evaluating product and processes to understand environmental and social impact.

Qualification Requirements

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering,Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related disciplines of Engineering.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Good team player, able to work with deadlines and dynamic requirements.
• Ability to articulate and present complex research ideas to both technical and lay audiences.
• Ability to write research proposals and papers for technical journals.
• Very good command of written and spoken English.

What TUM CREATE offers you

• Competitive salary that commensurate with experience
• Medical insurance
• Good amount of leave/vacation days
• Vibrant,modern and positive working environment in Singapore
• Campus-sited office location with a host of facilities
• In-building perks including gym, game room and coffee room

Applications

Please send the following compulsory documents in your application:

• Cover letter
• CV
• University transcripts

to [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We look forward to your application!