Postdoc in Sustainable Circular Business Models and Finance in Hubs Circularity

Job description

The Challenge

As process industries transition to circular models, companies within Hubs for Circularity (H4C) need robust tools to navigate the financial complexities of industrial symbiosis. This project aims to bridge financial modelling, AI, simulation, and circular business model innovation, equipping decision-makers with practical, scientifically grounded tools to evaluate risks, cash flows, and long‑term business viability.

Your Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral candidate to develop data‑driven financial forecasting, planning, and scenario‑analysis tools. You will work on three closely connected tasks in the Horizon Europe funded “Sustainable Circular Economy Transition: from Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularity – IS2H4C” project. The project website is available here: IS2H4C PROJECT

• Financial Forecasting & AI:
  Use scenario case analysis, simulation, time series models, and/or AI‑based approaches to forecast cash flows and support financial analysis for individual companies, co‑financing arrangements, and hubs for circularity.
• Business Model Planning:
  Contribute to financial plans and canvases for new circular business models, projecting revenues, expenses, risks, investments, and profitability.
• Simulation Design:
  Design and apply simulations that integrate financial and non‑financial information. This will enable companies to explore future scenarios, assess the economic benefits of resource sharing/exchanging, and strengthen investment decisions.

About You

Are you eager to develop innovative financial models that support sustainable industrial transitions and help companies make better investment decisions in circular ecosystems? If you are ready to contribute to solutions that improve decision‑making for industrial symbiosis, we look forward to your application!

• PhD degree or equivalent (or close to obtain PhD degree) in Business Analytics/Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Management Engineering, or related field.
• Knowledge and interest in business and financial models, financial engineering, finance for sustainability, circular economy, information systems, and industrial symbiosis.
• A strong quantitative background and experience with quantitative analytics techniques, particularly data science and prescriptive analytics.
• Motivation to work on industrial symbiosis, sustainability challenges, and renewable energy systems—prior experience on these subjects is a plus.
• Proficiency in coding with a language such as Python, Matlab, C++, Java, or similar.
• Excellent teammate in an enthusiastic and hardworking group of scientists. Comfortable working in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• Able to conduct independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills.
• Strong communication skills and an excellent command of English.

We encourage high responsibility and independence while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We offer:

• A full‑time position for 12–18 months, with the opportunity to extend the contract up to 24 months.
• Competitive gross monthly salary between €3,546 and €5,538, depending on your experience and qualifications.
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• 29 holidays per year in case of full‑time employment.
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community.
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits, with conditions part of the collective labour agreement CAO‑NU for Dutch universities.
• Opportunity to apply for a 30% tax ruling in the Netherlands.

Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application before August 1 through the employment portal of the University of Twente and include:

• Cover letter of at most 1.5 page A4, explaining specific interests, the motivation for the application, and why you fit to this project.
• Academic transcript of BSc, MSc and PhD education, including grades.
• Full Curriculum Vitae, contact information for at least two academic references, and, if applicable, a list of publications.
• IELTS‑test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL‑iBT), or a Cambridge CAE‑C (CPE). Applicants with a non‑Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS‑test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, TOEFL‑iBT score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE‑C (CPE).

All applications must be submitted through the university portal; we do not accept applications via e‑mail.