General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
2025-35424
Position description
Category
Environment and climate science
Contract
Postdoc
Job title
Real-time process monitoring using dynamic Life Cycle Assessment modelling F/H
Subject
Application to the decarbonization of industrial processes
The CyVi research group at the University of Bordeaux, specializing in life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainable chemistry, in collaboration with CEA-List, an expert in smart digital systems, is offering a postdoctoral position on real-time process monitoring using dynamic LCA modeling for industrial decarbonization. Funded by the PEPR SPLEEN program, the project aligns with France 2030's strategy to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2012, CyVi has focused on LCA, LCSA, and material flow analysis applied to industrial processes, chemistry, and material science, developing tools like GeoPolRisk for supply risk assessment. CEA-List specializes in digital innovation and technology transfer. The postdoc will be based in Bordeaux, with work at ISM (2/3 time) and CEA-List (1/3 time), with potential collaborations in Germany and Canada. The campus in Talence is well-connected by public transport.
Contract duration (months)
24
Job description
🔹 Project context
This project aims to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by transforming industrial information systems. Achieving this ambitious goal requires a profound restructuring of information flows and an integrated approach to organizational and product-level sustainability assessment.
The postdoc's objective is to advance Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and apply them to real-time process monitoring using dynamic LCA modeling. The goal is to enable industries to monitor and optimize their environmental performance in real-time, focusing on carbon footprint reduction and other relevant environmental impacts, such as water footprint. This work aligns with the DCARBO project, which focuses on process emission monitoring through sensors within the PEPR SPLEEN program.
🔹 Main Goals
Develop a real-time environmental impact evaluation model for industrial processes.
Integrate material, water, and energy flow data from sensors and cost accounting systems into LCA for dynamic impact assessment.
Define sensor data requirements to enable real-time LCA.
Collaborate with an ongoing PhD project on leveraging accounting data for real-time LCA.
Expected Outcomes
The postdoc will develop a model linking sensor data, monitoring tools, and accounting systems to dynamic LCA, allowing real-time calculation of carbon and water footprints. A case study with an industrial partner will serve as a demonstrator to validate the model.
🔹 Key Scientific and Technological Challenges
Reconciling monetary and physical data to improve environmental impact calculations and support product innovation.
Obtaining reliable supplier data for Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and organizational LCA.
Real-time environmental impact accounting at the industrial process level.
Predicting and anticipating environmental impacts (carbon, water) to foster eco-innovation.
This postdoc will contribute to the LCA-SPLEEN project, funded under France 2030 via the French National Research Agency (ANR), supporting the decarbonization of French industry. Given that industry accounts for ~20% of France’s greenhouse gas emissions, the National Low Carbon Strategy aims for a 35% reduction by 2030 and an 81% reduction by 2050 (compared to 2015 levels).
🔹 Starting date: as soon as possible
Applicant Profile
🔹 Degree
A PhD in mathematics and computer science (environmental informatics) or chemical and engineering sciences (chemical engineering).
Candidates from chemical or engineering sciences should have a basic knowledge and interest in programming.
Candidates from mathematics and computer science should have a basic knowledge and interest in chemical engineering and sustainability assessment.
🔹 Relevant experience in
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis, Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Environmental Management.
Supply Chain Management, Industrial Processes, Process Monitoring, and Sensors.
Computer Science for Sustainability.
🔹 Technical skills
Proficiency in Python and other programming languages.
Knowledge of OPC-UA protocols is a plus.
🔹 Personal qualities
Rigor, organization, and analytical skills.
Autonomy and ability to work in a team.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Motivation to contribute to the supervision of PhD, Master’s, and Bachelor’s students.
Willingness to participate in administrative tasks related to the project.
🔹 Languages
Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
Knowledge of French is an asset.
🔹 Funding
The LCA-SPLEEN project (Life Cycle Assessment-based metrics for industry and research to support industrial process decarbonization while minimizing environmental impacts) is funded by France 2030 and managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the Priority Research and Equipment Program (PEPR). Its goal is to support the decarbonization of French industry and the development of national low-carbon industrial sectors.
With industry responsible for ~20% of France’s greenhouse gas emissions, the National Low Carbon Strategy aims to reduce emissions by 35% by 2030 and 81% by 2050 (compared to 2015 levels). The postdoctoral position, funded under this initiative, will contribute to this objective by developing real-time process monitoring using dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling.
The postdoc will last 2 years and will be supervised by Prof. Guido Sonnemann (ISM, University of Bordeaux), Dr. Ariane Piel, and Jean-François Berrée (CEA-List).
🔹 Application Details
Deadline: March 21, 2025, at noon.
Required documents: Motivation letter, CV, publication list, and up to three referees (contact details).
Submission: All documents must be submitted in a single PDF file via email before the deadline.
📩 Contact for applications and questions:
Prof. Guido Sonnemann (University of Bordeaux)
📍 Email: guido.sonnemann@u-bordeaux.fr
Dr. Ariane Piel & Jean-François Berrée (CEA-List)
📍 Emails: Ariane.PIEL@cea.fr, jean-francois.berree@cea.fr
In accordance with the CEA's commitments to the integration of people with disabilities, this position is open to all. The CEA offers accommodations and/or organizational possibilities for the inclusion of workers with disabilities.
Position location
Site
Saclay
Job location
France, Ile-de-France
Location
Saclay
Requester
Position start date
01/04/2025
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