How to Apply

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. A one page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline experience that is directly related to this position.

Summary

As the Sustainable Systems Research Area Specialist, you will undertake the research to develop and apply life cycle assessment models of reusable container and other foodware systems. You will coordinate with interested parties in the fields of life cycle assessment and the food and beverage industry to determine the performance of alternative reusable containers and relevant foodware systems.

Note: This position will be a one year full-time term limited appointment with the opportunity for renewal.

Mission Statement

The School for Environment and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu/) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary school. Our mission includes contributing to the protection of environmental resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. We accomplish this by generating and sharing knowledge, contributing to policy and engaging managers and stakeholders. The University of Michigan is a top-ranked public university with excellence in research and teaching. Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a town known for arts, culture, parks and restaurants.

SEAS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that respects diverse experiences, promotes generous listening and communications, and discourages and restoratively respond to acts of discrimination, harassment, or injustice. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is deeply rooted in our values for a sustainable and just society.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems at the School for Environment and Sustainability creates systems analysis methods, models, and metrics for advancing sustainable futures. The Center recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. We engage with diverse stakeholders in interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach to achieve measurable outcomes with the greatest impact. Our expertise spans life cycle assessment, sustainable supply chains, circular economies, emerging technologies, the nexus of systems, and social and economic impacts. Our work with stakeholders catalyzes the transformation of systems (energy, urban and built environment, mobility, food, and water) to enhance sustainability.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  

Responsibilities*

Life Cycle Assessment Modeling

• Develop life cycle assessment and cost models to determine the sustainability performance of alternative reusable container and other foodware systems. Analyze alternative system configurations and logistics and compare with incumbent systems.
• Conduct scenario analyses and sensitivity analyses. Run additional simulations to test robustness of the findings and recommendations across the full set of system parameters (e.g., related to container materials, container service life, electricity grids, consumer behavior, restaurant washing)
• Apply life cycle models for community scale deployments and make design recommendations.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Develop guidance on best circular economy practices for education and outreach to interested parties (e.g., restaurants, customers, extension agents).

Writing and Publishing

• Prepare manuscripts for publication of methods and key findings in high impact journals.
• Present research to industry collaborators, professional society networks, and other venues.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals

Required Qualifications*

• MS or MSE degree in Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field
• Demonstrated experience in life cycle assessment
• Experience developing life cycle assessment models
• Experience writing articles for academic journals
• Experience working with business and industry partners to conduct applied research
  

Additional Information

Salary will be determined based on experience.

Remote and flexible work agreements may be made to support partial off-site work at a remote location.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.