Postdoctoral Fellowship – CIRSET 2027: Université de Lorraine, France

Summary

The CIRSET (Circular Economy for Sustainable Resources in the Energy and Digital Transitions) program at Université de Lorraine, France, invites applications for interdisciplinary 24-month Postdoctoral Fellowships. The program supports innovative research addressing sustainable management of primary and secondary resources critical to the energy and digital transitions.

Postdoctoral Fellowship – CIRSET 2027: Circular Economy for Sustainable Resources in Energy & Digital Transitions

Projects must combine expertise from at least two disciplinary fields, such as geosciences, materials science, recycling and processing, environmental sciences, economics, management, social sciences, education, or computer science. International applications are strongly encouraged, with selected fellows expected to contribute to CIRSET activities and develop future European funding proposals.

Summary Table

Designation

Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellow – CIRSET 2027

Research Areas

The fellowship welcomes interdisciplinary research spanning:

• Geosciences & Resources: Ore genesis, primary and secondary resources, characterization techniques, critical-metal geopolitics.
• Processes & Raw Materials: Metallurgical extraction, mineral processing, recycling, and management of plastics from electronic waste.
• Environment & Society: Environmental impact assessment, remediation of metal-polluted soils, life-cycle assessment, social acceptance, and governance.
• Economics & Management: Circular-economy models, business models, green finance, metal value chains, and management.
• Social Sciences & Education: Scientific outreach, pedagogical innovation, behavioral change, and training.
• Related disciplines such as chemistry, physics, materials science, environmental science, computer science, humanities and social sciences, and educational sciences are also eligible.

Location

Université de Lorraine, Lorraine, France

The selected researcher will join an appropriate host laboratory within Université de Lorraine. Applicants may either identify a potential host researcher/laboratory themselves or allow the CIRSET Selection Committee to facilitate a suitable research connection.

Eligibility / Qualification

Applicants must:

• Have defended their PhD within the three years preceding the application deadline.
• Hold a PhD in a discipline relevant to CIRSET, including geosciences, chemistry, physics, materials science, environmental science, economics, management, humanities and social sciences, educational sciences, computer science, or related fields.
• Demonstrate a strong ability and interest in interdisciplinary research.
• Propose a project directly aligned with CIRSET’s scientific priorities.
• Develop a project involving at least two disciplinary fields listed in the program.
• Ensure the project fits within at least one of the CIRSET Work Packages.
• Demonstrate interest in European research funding and international consortium building.
• International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The successful postdoctoral researcher will develop and conduct an innovative interdisciplinary research project addressing challenges associated with the circular economy and sustainable mineral resources for energy and digital transitions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting high-quality interdisciplinary research within CIRSET priorities.
• Addressing challenges across the material value chain, from responsible extraction and processing to recycling and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborating with researchers from complementary scientific disciplines.
• Participating actively in CIRSET seminars, workshops, conferences, and scientific activities.
• Working under the supervision of a reference researcher at Université de Lorraine.
• Contributing to open-science practices, including open-access publication and public deposition of research data.
• Developing, with the support of the reference researcher, a proposal for future European funding, such as Horizon Europe, EIT RawMaterials, or ERAMIN.
• Contributing to the development of an international European research consortium with the goal of securing continued research funding.

Funding & Fellowship Conditions

• Fellowship duration: 24 months
• Salary: In accordance with the current postdoctoral salary scale of Université de Lorraine.
• Starting date: To be agreed upon with the host laboratory and CIRSET steering committee.
• Host laboratory: Either selected by the applicant or identified through the CIRSET Selection Committee.

Application Documents

Applicants should prepare:

1. Detailed CV, including publications and conference presentations.
2. Copy of PhD diploma or official confirmation of successful PhD defense.
3. At least two recommendation letters.
4. Motivation letter explaining interest in CIRSET and suitability for the fellowship.
5. Where applicable, a letter of agreement from the Université de Lorraine host laboratory and/or reference researcher.
6. Interdisciplinary research project proposal as required by the application form.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official Université de Lorraine application form:

CIRSET Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Form

Applicants should upload all required documents and provide a detailed description of their proposed interdisciplinary research project.

Evaluation Criteria

Important Dates

• Call Opening: 1 October 2026
• Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
• Scientific Committee Review: From January 2027
• Results Announced: 31 March 2027
• Project Start: According to candidate availability

Contact

For questions regarding the fellowship:

• Prof. Alexandre Chagnes: alexandre.chagnes@univ-lorraine.fr
• Dr. Olga Chernoburova: olga.chernoburova@univ-lorraine.fr

Application Deadline: 31 December 2026

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