Do you want to help shape more sustainable business models by combining environmental and financial analysis? Join our BMLCA team at Chalmers and contribute to groundbreaking research on business models for sustainability.
About us
At the division of Environmental Systems Analysis, we perform research on assessment and sociotechnical transition of different technical systems in order to meet the environmental challenges and resource limitations that our society faces. We do this with a systems approach and we include the technology itself, the natural systems, as well as the actors, the humans, in these systems. We are an international and friendly group of around 40 staff and faculty members with diverse backgrounds in the engineering, social and natural sciences.
About the research project
Business Model LCA is a novel life cycle assessment methodology tailored for the environmental assessment of business models (c.f., Baumann et al 2022) – it integrates environmental and financial analysis and calculates the environmental impact of business performance. In the research project, you will apply BMLCA to analyse real business models to find ways that help companies achieve decoupling within their business practices. Within a context of collaborative case studies with companies, the research involves modelling business models in a representative way from scratch using the BMLCA methodology. This is carried out within the Mistra Challenge-funded project Delish (Decoupling through BMLCA and market shaping) in collaboration with partners at Stockholm School of Business.
This research looks at production and consumption systems in a highly interdisciplinary way, combining life cycle analysis with business economic analysis and market analyses. Together with other project members and BMLCA researchers you will contribute towards developing knowledge on sustainability assessment of business and on the design of business models for sustainability and decoupling.
Who we are looking for
The following requirements are mandatory:
- To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Industrial Ecology or Sustainable engineering and management, or corresponding.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- You have a multidisciplinary background, including both:
- technically oriented skills (e.g. circular economy, LCA, MFA)
- actor-oriented skills (e.g. design methodologies, interviewing, business analysis)
- You can work both collaboratively and independently.
*For students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
The following experience will strengthen your application:
- Previous experience of Business Model Life Cycle Assessment
- Previous experience from research projects, scientific publications, or collaboration with industry or international research groups
What you will do
Main activities within the research project are:
- Application of BMLCA for the modelling of business models in collaboration with companies and primary data collection (especially business model-related financial data and production systems)
- Develop BMLCA-based analysis to explore different business model designs and the extent to which these contribute to decoupling
- Contribute with your analyses in workshops with the case companies
- Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing
A doctoral student position is about training to become an independent researcher and academic. The research project is one means for this, but other activities also build towards it. You will:
Contract terms
- The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
- The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
- A starting salary of 35,725 SEK per month (valid from May 1, 2026).
- Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
What we offer
- As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
- A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
- Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.
If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.
Application procedure
The application should be written in English and attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
CV
Personal letter
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this research topic.
- A brief motivation as to why you are interested in pursuing doctoral studies.
Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.
Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.
A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.
Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.
We welcome your application no later than July 26, 2026.
For questions, please contact:
Name: Henrikke Baumann
Title: Professor in Industrial and Domestic Ecologies
Email: [email protected]
We look forward to your application!
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
