Research Assistant

***Research Assistant (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, full time** (currently **40** hours per week)**

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- Application deadline:
25.10.2024
- Date of hire:
01.01.2025
- vacancy number:
- 37796This is a fixed term-position of for four years until 31 December 2028 as part of the project ‘BioLoop: Micro-biologically enhanced material cycle for closing PE and PE-PET multilayer plastic foil Loops’ according to - 2 Abs. 2 WissZeitVG. The possibility for a doctorate is given.

The BioLoop project is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and is being carried out by two research groups at the University of Kassel (Resource Management and Solid Waste Engineering and Polymer Engineering) and one research group at the University of Hamburg (Microbiology and Biotechnology). The overall aim of the project is to develop a new and environmentally optimal class of PE foil and multilayer recycling scheme based on enzyme-driven PE and PET depolymerization and subsequent reactive extrusion of short-chain building blocks to high grade products. The subproject of the group of Resource Management and Solid Waste Engineering includes the characterization of different waste streams regarding PE and multi-layer films to create a high-resolution plastic flow model for films at the national level as a basis for assessing the environmental performance of the microbially enhanced material cycle for PE and multilayer foils in comparison to other existing and emerging plastic recycling technologies.

**Tasks**:

- Performing research in the BioLoop project
- Planning and implementing sampling and waste characterization campaigns
- Collecting and evaluating data on plastic films and plastic film waste in Germany
- Performing material and substance flow analyses
- Environmental assessment and explorative modelling of different (emerging) plastic recycling processes
- Dissemination of research results via publications in scientific journals and conference contributions
- Support with project management
- Support of project administration and organization of project meetings
- Ongoing coordination and exchange with project partners

**Requirements**:

- Scientific university degree in the field of environmental engineering, environmental sciences, environmental technology, resource management, recycling technology or a related field. The required degree must be obtained by the date of employment at the latest.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in German and English
- Motivation to pursue a doctorate in the field of environmental engineering
- Knowledge in the field of modelling and evaluating resource systems

**Advantages are**:

- Thorough and independent way of working
- A high level of organizational ability
- Programming skills (e.g. Python)
- Knowledge in the field of waste management
- Experience in the field of material and substance flow analysis and/or life cycle assessment
- Experience with experimental work

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. David Laner, Tel.: +49 561 804-3983.

**Our Offer**:
As an employee of the University of Kassel
- you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
- you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
- you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
- is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

- an additional company pension (VBL),
- an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
- an annual bonus
- an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
- a promotion of voluntary commitment,
- low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

**You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de**

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions).