Do you want to contribute to the development of circular and sustainable business models within a circular economy? Within the project Analysis of new business models' sustainability performance, we are looking for a PhD student who will work on the further development of a method, based on life cycle assessment (LCA), to analyze the environmental impact of different business models. You will be part of a research group in an international research environment with excellence in sustainable transformation of business models and LCA. The research takes place in close collaboration with companies in several industries.

Subject description
Quality Technology and Logistics includes principles, working methods, and tools for customer and sustainability-oriented product and process improvement as well as refining, processing, and management of flows. The subject has an industrial base with applications in goods and service production. 

Project description
The project aims to increase the knowledge, ability and use of a new method, so-called business model LCA (BMLCA), to analyze the sustainability performance of business models. By using the method to study several business models, evaluate the results, and spread knowledge about the method and sustainable business models, the goal is to ensure good business development while increasing resource and energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The method has recently been introduced with promising results and since then it has attracted great interest. BMLCA results are presented as environmental impact per unit of generated profit over time, enabling the development of business models that generate the same financial results but with lower environmental impact. In the short term, we foresee BMLCA being used for the analysis of the sustainability performance of new business models. In the long term, we envision BMLCA becoming an important feature of business analytics.

Duties
As a doctoral student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you will study both mandatory and optional doctoral courses and be given the opportunity to participate in teaching. The research in this position will be carried out both with other researchers at Luleå University of Technology and researchers at other universities.

Qualifications
You must have an academic degree of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level. You must have significant knowledge and skills in the areas of business models within a circular economy and/or life cycle assessement (LCA). You must be strongly motivated for postgraduate studies and have good cooperation and communication skills. It is important that you can express yourself fluently in English both verbally and in writing. It is an advantage, but not decisive, if you can express yourself verbally and in writing in Swedish.

For further information about a specific subject see: General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: Enrolment starting as soon as possible or by agreement.

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Thomas Zobel, +46 920-492134, thomas.zobel@ltu.se

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer,(+46 )920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Closing date for applications: 2024-12-03
Reference number: 4209-2024