Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Circular Product Engineering

The Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford) is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant. This UKRI-funded post is fixed-term for one year, with the possibility of an extension. The PDRA will join the Circular Electrical and Electronics Project (CEEP), supported by a consortium of over 25 partners across the EEE value chain, aiming to enable a low-carbon circular economy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering evidence generation activities in Work Package 2.
• Analyse IT and Telecommunications products, including smartphones, laptops, servers, and routers.
• Develop a comprehensive engineering database of circular material, component, and product design interventions.
• Underpin the development of a decision-support framework for industry to assess sustainability trade-offs for different circular design strategies.

Requirements

• Relevant PhD/DPhil (e.g., Engineering, Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design).
• Practical experience in product design.
• Knowledge of circular economy, eco-design, and sustainable design.
• Competence in engineering analysis, including product teardown, product architecture mapping, component and material analysis, and engineering feasibility assessments.
• Enthusiasm for independent work and collaboration within a larger team focused on the transition to the circular economy.

Benefits

• 38 days' annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and fixed closure days).
• Generous pension schemes.
• Free access to Oxford colleges.
• Additional staff benefits available (see Staff benefits).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Lucia Corsini (email: lucia.corsini@eng.ox.ac.uk).