Doctoral student in Regenerative and Circular Manufacturing

How can manufacturing systems generate a net-positive impact on the planet? How can we move from “doing less bad” to “doing more good”? Join us in reimagining the future of industry!

About us

At the department of Mechanical Engineering, we unite the power of technology, people, and society to drive the transition toward a sustainable future. Through research, education, and collaboration, we create solutions that connect materials to mobility, ideas to impact – shaping a resilient and sustainable world. We make impact.

The vision of the division Design & Human Factors is that one day, all products, services, and workplaces will be designed to enable users to live and work in a meaningful and sustainable way.

About the research project

Today's industries have become increasingly efficient at producing goods and services which have greatly improved our quality of life. However, such highly efficient industrial systems are still largely linear and often seen as the cause of resource depletion, climate change, and pollution problems which continue to place pressure on natural ecosystems. The conceptual foundation for this Doctoral student position is “regenerative manufacturing”, a visionary approach that combines the principles of eco-efficiency and circularity with a more ambitious view of the relationship between industry and nature. Rather than seeing nature as an external resource and recipient of industrial impacts, what happens when manufacturing is seen as an integral part of the ecological systems it depends on or is embedded in, and how it can contribute to healthier ecosystem services/functions.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is passionate about environmental sustainability and genuinely believes that the transition to green manufacturing is worth fighting for, including when the economic or political context makes it difficult. At the same time, you are committed to scientific rigor and critical thinking. You will be expected to question sustainability narratives, test assumptions, identify trade-offs, and follow the evidence, recognizing that circular solutions may also create unintended consequences, known as rebound effects.

The following requirements are mandatory:

• To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Industrial Ecology, Industrial Design Engineering, Production/Manufacturing Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent, with a total of at least 240 higher education credits.

• Minimum of two courses in Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Systems Analysis, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, or similar topics.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

• for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• Experience in Circular Economy, Systems Thinking, Sustainability Transition, or similar topics.
• Experience in sustainability-oriented projects, highly motivated to tackle environmental challenges.
• Experience in working collaboratively in interdisciplinary projects.
• Peer-reviewed publications in journals or conferences are meritorious.

What you will do

A Doctoral student is about becoming an independent researcher capable of defining important problems, developing new knowledge, and influencing how those problems are understood. This position will give you the opportunity to work on a problem that matters: how manufacturing can contribute to a healthy planet. However, the research approach is not pre-defined and you will have some freedom to design your own research journey.

You are expected to:

• Research and develop theoretical foundations, methods, models, and tools for regenerative and circular industrial systems.
• Collaborate with project partners across industry and academia in national and European projects.
• Report and present the research findings in international journals and conferences.
• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Human-Technology-Design (Graduate schools | Chalmers ).
• Teach at Chalmers' undergraduate level or perform other duties corresponding to 20% of working hours.

Contract terms

• The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
• The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
• A starting salary of 35,725 SEK per month (valid from May 1, 2026).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English and attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
• A proposal of how you would approach such a research project and what research activities you envision.

Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

We welcome your application no later than 31 October.

For questions, please contact:

Mélanie Despeisse

Associate Professor

melanie.despeisse@chalmers.se

We look forward to your application!

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society.

The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!