Post-doctoral position at Oregon State University
Decarbonizing the building and construction sector, responsible for app. 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is crucial for achieving the goals of the Paris Climate agreement. One promising approach is to shift from traditional concrete and steel buildings to wooden buildings, especially mass timber buildings. Several life cycle assessment (LCA) studies show that mass timber buildings may have superior environmental performance compared to buildings made with other construction materials, although the magnitude and boundary conditions remain contested. Additionally, mass timber production can have positive social effects, including creating jobs and income in rural areas.
We are currently seeking a post-doctoral scholar for a two-year position on a USDA-funded project. The role involves conducting a comprehensive review and data-driven meta-analysis of existing LCA studies to evaluate the sustainability claims of mass timber buildings. Furthermore, there may be an opportunity for the post-doctoral scholar to conduct a Social LCA as part of this research initiative.
The salary is competitive, and funding is available to support attendance at multiple conferences.
- Specific responsibilities include:
- Conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for mass timber products, analyzing environmental impacts from cradle to grave
- Performing Social Life Cycle Assessments (SLCA) to evaluate the social impact of mass timber production and utilization.
- Conducting fieldwork to collect data for assessments.
- Communicating findings through academic publications, reports, and presentations.
- Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Corporate Sustainability, Industrial Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Analytics or a related field.
- Experience conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and/or Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA).
- Proficiency in any LCA software (e.g., SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA) and statistical analysis tools.
- Experience in or familiarity with conducting meta-analysis.
- Track record of scientific publications.
- Application deadline: Nov 30, 2023.
- To apply, please send your CV, cover letter, and the contact information for three references to the project co-PIs:
- Rajat Panwar (rajat.panwar■oregonstate.edu) ■を@に変えて
- Arijit Sinha (Arijit.sinha■oregonstate.edu) ■を@に変えて