POSITION: Personnel Service Agreement

REFERENCE NO: 2014/UNU/IAS/PSA/RA/74

LOCATION: Eindhoven, Netherlands, or Bonn, Germany Timezone: GMT+1

CLOSING DATE: Open until position is filled

Organizational Unit: UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

United Nations University objectives

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in research, postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The University functions as a think tank for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building, particularly in developing countries, and serves as a platform for new and innovative ideas and dialogue.

UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

UNU-IAS is a new UNU institute, created in January 2014 by consolidating the former UNU Institute of Advanced Studies and UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP). It is based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The mission of UNU-IAS is to serve the international community through policy-relevant research and capacity development focused on sustainability, including its social, economic and environmental dimensions.

UNU-IAS applies advanced research methodologies and innovative approaches to challenge conventional thinking and develop creative solutions to emerging issues of global concern in these areas. The Institute's research, education and training combine expertise from a wide range of areas related to sustainability, and engage a global network of scholars and partner institutions. Through postgraduate teaching, UNU-IAS develops international leaders with the interdisciplinary understanding and technical skills needed to advance creative solutions to problems of sustainability.

UNU-IAS Operating Unit Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE)

UNU-IAS SCYCLE is an operating unit of UNU-IAS based in Bonn, Germany. Its activities are focused on the development of sustainable production, consumption and disposal patterns for electrical and electronic equipment, as well as other ubiquitous goods. SCYCLE leads the global e-waste discussion and advances sustainable e-waste management strategies based on life-cycle thinking.

For more information, please visit ias.unu.edu/en/ and www.step-initiative.org

Prospecting Secondary raw materials in the Urban Mine and mining waste (ProSUM) project

The Horizon 2020 funded the ProSUM project, which will establish a European network of expertise on secondary sources of critical raw materials (CRMs) vital to today's high-tech society. ProSUM directly supports the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Raw Materials and its Strategic Implementation Plan calling for the creation of a European raw materials knowledge base.

Data on secondary raw materials are available in Europe, but scattered amongst a variety of institutions including government agencies, universities, NGOs and industry. By establishing a EU Information Network, the project will coordinate efforts to collect secondary CRM data and collate maps of stocks and flows for materials and products of the 'urban mine'. The scope is the particularly relevant sources for secondary CRMs: electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, batteries and mining tailings. The project will construct a comprehensive inventory identifying, quantifying and mapping CRM stocks and flows at national and regional levels across Europe. Via a user-friendly, open-access data platform, it will communicate the results online and combine them with primary raw materials data at national geological institutes.

ProSUM - Latin for 'I am useful' - provides a factual basis for policymakers to design appropriate legislation, for academia to define research priorities and to identify innovation opportunities in recovering CRMs for the recycling industry. The project will enable interdisciplinary collaboration, improves dissemination of knowledge and supports policy dialogues. A consortium of 17 partners, representing research institutes, geological surveys and industry with excellence in all above domains will deliver this ambitious project.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Scientific Advisor, the Research Associate will provide support to the UNU-IAS (SCYCLE) team of technical specialists. He/she will specifically be responsible for identifying and quantifying trends in material consumption of EEE products, strengthening data compilation and analysis, developing activities to improve the evaluation of the impact of UNU-IAS (SCYCLE)'s work, and compiling data for scientific outputs and communications to specific stakeholders.

The specific responsibilities of the position are as follows

• Researching the effect of rapidly changing EEE products on the consumption of CRMs, trends in miniaturization and application of CRMs, in past, current and future compositions of e-products.
• Data collection from producer compliance schemes, recyclers and other stakeholders, modelling of CRM stocks and flows in the urban mine, and assessing flows of e-waste and spent batteries.
• Identify and review relevant published literature related to stocks and flows modelling, and obtain, compile, manage, analyze and validate data from a variety of different data sources.
• Contribute to the development of methodologies for addressing defined research questions concerning the evaluation of environmental and economic impacts of CRMs.
• Contribute to the visualization of the mapping of the Urban Mine and development of policy briefs and scientific papers; develop messages for scientific engagements.
• Assistance in subsequent project acquisition.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Required qualifications and experience

• As a minimum, a master's degree preferably in electronics engineering, chemical engineering, design engineering, environmental engineering, environmental or development statistics or closely related environmental or related sciences;
• Excellent spoken and written English; fluency in French and possibly German would be highly desirable;
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills backed by a sound background in impact assessment and/or statistical analysis;
• A 'fact finding' attitude and experience in compiling, analysing and updating information;
• Basic knowledge of managing databases and mass flow analysis tools is required, with eye for detail and attention to accuracy;
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with people from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time employment on a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU-IAS. The successful candidate shall work remotely for an initial appointment of two (2) years, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a 'staff member' as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

The working location will be Eindhoven, Netherlands, and/or Bonn, Germany. The research work may result in a PhD trajectory in cooperation with one or more of the academic institutes involved in the project.

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

Starting date

As soon as possible.

Apply here: http://unu.edu/about/hr/academic/research-associate-scycle.html#overview