Postdoc in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition

Karlstad University

Stockholms kommun

On-site

SEK 44,640 - 55,800

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Good working conditions

Attractive benefits

Opportunity for academic growth

Job summary

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is seeking a Postdoc in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition. This role focuses on sustainable transformation in the manufacturing industry, emphasizing independent research and collaboration with industry leaders.

The successful candidate will analyze industrial ecosystems and develop sustainable methods, contributing to a circular transition. Strong research expertise and excellent communication in English are essential.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree or equivalent foreign degree.
Documented research expertise and ability to publish.
Research competence in circular business models or related fields.
Ability to communicate in English.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

Conduct independent research in industrial ecosystems.
Analyze cross-company collaboration and resource flows.
Develop and test research-based models in industrial environments.

Skills

Independent research

Communication in English

Collaboration with researchers and companies

Teaching ability

Research in sustainable industrial transition

Education

Doctoral degree or equivalent

Job description

Postdoc in Industrial Ecosystems and Circular Transition

Since its founding in 1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities.

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.

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.

Learn more about our benefits and what it’s like to work and grow at KTH.

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.

Job details