Deadline: [contact details available in the full listing]
Published: [contact details available in the full listing]
Research fields: Engineering; Environmental science
Job types: Postdoc
Education level: Doctorate
Weekly hours: 38 hours per week
Salary indication: €4251—€4925 per month
Location: Broerstraat 5, 9712 CP, Groningen
We are looking for a motivated researcher who combines strong quantitative skills with an interest in critical materials, supply chains, and sustainability.
What are you going to do?
You will investigate supply chains across material extraction, processing, manufacturing, use, and recycling. The research will examine how disruptions propagate between countries, sectors, and stages of production, and how different responses influence supply security, economic performance, and environmental outcomes.
Potential research directions include mapping dependencies and bottlenecks in critical material and clean energy supply chains; modelling the effects of trade restrictions, production interruptions, and changing demand; and evaluating strategies such as supplier diversification, recycling, material substitution, and technological innovation. The specific research focus will be developed with Dr Sun, taking account of your expertise and the project objectives.
Depending on the research questions, methods may include network analysis, material flow analysis, input–output modelling, optimisation, and scenario-based simulation.
Your main responsibilities will be to:
- Develop and apply quantitative models to assess supply chain vulnerabilities, disruption impacts, and recovery pathways.
- Compile, integrate, and critically evaluate data on material flows, international trade, production capacities, and clean energy technologies.
- Compare resilience strategies and assess their implications for resource use and environmental sustainability.
- Prepare research articles for peer-reviewed journals and communicate findings at scientific meetings.
- Collaborate with colleagues and contribute to the research activities of the group.
- Maintain transparent, well-documented datasets and reproducible analytical workflows.
About the position
The University of Groningen invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral position in supply chain resilience, working with Dr Xin Sun. The position focuses on understanding how supply chains can withstand disruptions, recover from shocks, and adapt to changing geopolitical, economic, and environmental conditions, with particular attention to critical materials and clean energy technologies.
The transition to a low-carbon economy depends on reliable supplies of materials and technologies. Concentrated production, international trade dependencies, and disruptions across interconnected supply chains can create vulnerabilities that affect the pace and sustainability of this transition. This project will develop quantitative approaches to identify these vulnerabilities, assess the consequences of disruptions, and evaluate strategies that strengthen resilience while supporting sustainability goals.
Requirements
Your profile
You should have:
- A PhD, completed by the start of the appointment, in industrial ecology, environmental science, engineering, economics, operations research, supply chain management, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience in quantitative modelling and data analysis, with proficiency in Python, R, MATLAB, Julia, or a comparable programming language.
- Expertise in at least one relevant method, such as network analysis, material flow analysis, input–output analysis, optimisation, or systems modelling.
- The ability to formulate research questions, critically assess data and assumptions, and conduct independent research.
- Evidence of strong scientific writing, demonstrated through publications, manuscripts, or doctoral research.
- Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to collaborate in an international research environment.
Experience with critical material supply chains, clean energy technologies, international trade data, disruption modelling, or life cycle assessment would be an advantage. Applicants with strong transferable methodological expertise are also encouraged to apply.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: A temporary appointment of 1.0 FTE for one year.
What can you expect from us?
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
Employer
University of Groningen
At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.
Department
Faculty of Science and Engineering
The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse.
Your research environment
You will join the Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES) group within the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), Faculty of Science and Engineering. You will work with Dr Xin Sun, whose research addresses the sustainability of critical materials and energy technologies through material flow analysis, supply chain risk assessment, systems modelling, and life cycle sustainability assessment.
The position offers an opportunity to develop your research profile at the intersection of supply chain resilience and sustainability, contribute to interdisciplinary research, and produce findings relevant to decisions about the clean energy transition.
Additional information
Do you have any questions or need more information?
Questions about the content of the job?
Xin Sun (Assistant Professor): [contact details available in the full listing]
Questions about your application process?
Xin Sun (Assistant Professor): [contact details available in the full listing]
Working at University of Groningen
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