The research center MOBI at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Brussels, Belgium), and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (Ispra site, Italy) , are calling for applications for one full-time doctoral researcher on the topic of the ‘Secure and sustainable supply of raw materials for energy storage systems’. Prospective PhD candidates are hereby invited to declare interest and submit project proposals on the themes described below. The latest deadline for submitting applications is the 1st of November 2025.
Objective and research questions
Secure and sustainable supply of non-fuel and non-agricultural raw materials is a necessary condition to the delivery of several key ambitions of the European Union, including a low carbon and circular economy (“A European Green Deal”), digitalisation (“A Europe fit for the digital age) and technological sovereignty (“A stronger Europe in the world”). In recent years, the JRC has supported the European raw materials policy with novel methods, data, indicators, scoreboards, information systems and analysis. Future support to EU policy in the area will require additional ambitious research works. VUB has an extensive track record in research on sustainability evaluation and ecodesign of electric vehicles, batteries and multi-energy-systems. The joint research activities will therefore focus on the security of supply and sustainable sourcing of raw materials, both primary and secondary, applied to the energy storage systems value chain for the EU. The research work may address: modelling materials flows and stocks in the economy, building medium and long-term scenarios, data analytics for raw materials, methods, indicators and data for criticality assessments, assessment tools for sustainable supply of raw materials, analysis of the potentials of circular economy , novel indicators to monitor the progresses of the raw materials sector and towards circular economy; development of a framework to better link raw materials value chain with Sustainable Development Goals.
The proposed PhD focusses on the role of raw materials and the risk of their supply in sustaining a decarbonized European energy systems and mobility system by 2050. The scope of the work concerns Europe for the period 2050-2100.The PhD focuses specifically on how rechargeable energy storage systems (RESS), including batteries, play a role in the low carbon transition and how their material compositions and associated supply chain risks might hamper their full adoption. The PhD will address the readiness level of technologies for circularity by 2050-2100, what the impact of RESS is on the European (planetary) boundaries and absolute sustainability and how to increase resilience in supply chains of raw materials.
Profile
The successful candidate is required to:
- Hold a Master’s degree in engineering, science and technology studies – with excellent study results.
- Have experience or interest in working within interdisciplinary teams and taking part in community initiatives. Having an interdisciplinary background or experience is a plus.
- Know and understand the relevant academic literature.
- Have research skills and good knowledge of research methodologies in social science and/or computer science. Experience in / understanding of design of algorithms or screen-based applications are an asset.
- Have strong interest in the European project;
- Be flexible, self-motivated and perseverant.
- Be able to work independently, with good self-management and planning skills.
- Think analytically and have good academic writing skills.
- Be fluent and have excellent communications skills in English. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.
- Have the ability to communicate with stakeholders, among others high-level officials.
Offer
The selected candidate will be employed as a full-time doctoral researcher.
The researcher will have two contracts (and work places) throughout his/her doctoral project, one with JRC (Ispra, Italy) for the first two years, and with VUB (Brussels, Belgium) for the last two years of the doctoral research.
The PhD degree is a joint degree between VUB and JRC.
The selected candidate will be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities after 12 months), with planned starting date 1 January 2026
More info:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application and project proposal directly to Maarten Messagie (Maarten.messagie@vub.be).