Postdoc in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition

KTH Royal Institute of Technology; Stockholms kommun; On-site; SEK 334,800 - 502,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative and dynamic environment

Good working conditions

Attractive benefits

Job summary

KTH Royal Institute of Technology is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition in Stockholm, Sweden. The successful candidate will focus on research aimed at transforming industrial systems to be more circular and resilient. This role requires strong analytical skills and collaboration with entities like AstraZeneca and Scania.

Key qualifications include a doctoral degree and proven research capabilities. The position offers opportunities to contribute to significant advancements in sustainable industrial practices.

Qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree is required.
• Experience in conducting independent research and publishing in international journals.
• Good communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on circular transition and industrial ecosystems.
• Collaborate with industrial and public actors.
• Develop models and methods in real industrial environments.

Skills

Independent research

Communication in English

Collaboration

Teaching ability

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Postdoc in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Engineering and Management

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who wants to contribute to the transition towards more circular and resilient industrial systems through research on industrial ecosystems, collaboration and sustainable transformation in the manufacturing industry.

The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Sustainability Technologies Innovation Centre in Södertälje and its main actors AstraZeneca, Scania and RISE, with a particular empirical anchoring at AstraZeneca. The research combines scientific analysis with active development of the platform's long-term adaptation capacity.

The focus is on how industrial ecosystems can be organized and mobilized to enable circular transition in mature manufacturing systems. Central research questions concern cross‑company collaboration, Scope 3 challenges, supplier relationships, industrial symbiosis, resource flows, transparency mechanisms and circular business models. The work includes independent research, empirical case studies and analysis of industrial networks and forms of collaboration. In close dialogue with industrial and public actors, the postdoctoral fellow will develop and test research‑based models and methods in real industrial environments.

The position is part of KTH's PROCEED initiative in Södertälje, which creates an internationally attractive research environment in close collaboration with Traton/Scania and AstraZeneca. Regular presence in Södertälje is a central part of the position. We are looking for an analytically strong and curious researcher with an interest in theoretically based and applied research on industrial transformation.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Documented research expertise, ability to conduct independent research, and ability to publish in international scientific journals.
• Documented research competence in areas such as industrial ecosystems, circular transition, circular business model innovation, sustainable industrial transition, or related fields.
• Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English, since this is part of the daily work.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with other researchers, companies and external actors.
• Teaching ability, including the ability to communicate research to students, researchers and wider audiences.
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
• Experience of research on industrial ecosystems, innovation ecosystems, circular business models, industrial symbiosis, sustainability transitions, supply chains, Scope 3‑related challenges or sustainable production systems.
• Experience of empirical research in industrial settings, such as case studies, interviews, document studies, workshops, actor mapping or analysis of collaborative processes.
• Experience of research or projects related to the pharmaceutical industry, process industry, manufacturing industry, or complex supplier and value chains.
• Experience of developing research applications, coordinating research activities or contributing to interdisciplinary research environments.
• Ability to communicate research in Swedish, or a willingness to develop such ability, as the position involves close collaboration with actors in Sweden.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Join us at KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security‑sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.