Within the recent decade, life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling of waste management systems have gained widespread use and general acceptance as a tool allowing a balanced and holistic environmental assessment that can be used as decision support for selection of waste management solutions in society. While existing LCA guidelines prescribe principles for the overall modeling approach, it is generally accepted that obtaining sufficiently detailed and comprehensive technology data is an increasingly challenging part of performing LCA of waste management systems. Existing LCA databases, boasts a comprehensive array of process inventories that may readily be used in LCA modeling. The challenge, however, is that these inventories very seldom provide an accurate description of the systems in question. While more appropriate data inventories may exist for a specific system or technology, these data are often less comprehensive and often include less emissions. This situation poses a challenge for both LCA practitioners and decision-makers as the data quality used for LCA modeling may affect the results and conclusions. The underlying principles of LCA are that all emissions significantly affecting the results should be included in the inventories, and thereby in the modeling.
Without clear guidelines regarding the data quality, LCA as a decision support tool may be limited.
The project aims at developing a framework for assessment of data quality in relation to LCA of waste management systems, which will help guide a user in understanding the influence of data quality on the applicability of the results from the LCA. The project builds on previous activities at DTU Environment related to uncertainty in LCA of waste management systems. The project will involve active use of the LCA model EASETECH and the developed framework will be implemented and used in this model.
The student will work at the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark with Senior Researcher Anders Damgaard as main supervisor. Associate professor Thomas Fruergaard Astrup, DTU Environment will be associated as co-supervisor. The student will work in collaboration with other PhDs focusing on developing data for waste management systems and technologies.
Responsibilities and tasks
The overall aim of the PhD is to develop a consistent and scientific based methodology for selection of process inventories and subsequent quality assurance of LCA modelling results. The work will provide the theoretical and conceptual framework in combination with selected/generic examples and is expected to include at least:
- Review of existing "data quality assessment" methodologies and evaluation of their applicability to waste management systems
- Identification of shortcomings in existing methodologies with respect to assessment of data quality in relation to waste systems.
- Assess technological and temporal scope of both foreground and background processes in relation to LCA goal and scope: appropriateness of selected process inventories
- Evaluate the importance of process inventory completeness: importance of few or more emissions
- Evaluate importance of inventory selection and use of default process database for the result of LCA modelling of waste management systems
- Evaluate minimum data quality requirements relative to selected waste technologies (type, complexity, etc.) needed to provide robust support for the intended decisions from the LCA.
The work is expected to lead to an improved understanding of what role data quality plays in LCA of waste management systems, and a framework for evaluation of the collected data. The results will be published in 3-4 papers in international scientific journals, and 2-3 contributions at international conferences. The thesis is expected to consist of a description of the main achievements and the manuscripts prepared for the international journals.
Qualifications
Candidates should have a master''s degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master''s degree in engineering.
The applicant should beyond the above qualifications have documented knowledge within the following areas:
- Waste management, waste technologies and waste system analysis
- LCA principles and standards
- Hands-on experience with waste LCA (e.g. EASETECH)
The applicant must have analytical skills, research potential, be well-organized and enterprising and possess good interpersonal skills needed to collaborate with other university departments and private companies. Experience with related aspects will be positively taken into consideration. The applicant must master English and Danish.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Assessment
The application will be assessed by Senior Researcher Anders Damgaard and Associate Professor Thomas Fruergaard Astrup, DTU Environment.
We offer
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Anders Damgaard, DTU Environment, tel.: +45 4525 1612.
You can read more about DTU Environment on www.env.dtu.dk
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 5 January 2015.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master''s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply
Application Deadline : 5 January 2015