Technoeconomic analyst of innovative technologies

Job description

Are you interested in new, sustainable processes, and particularly curious about their economic feasibility and broader sustainability impact? Then techno-economic analyses are for you. With new technologies, there are often still many uncertainties and ambiguities regarding which options are most promising. Is the investment cost the deciding factor, or should we primarily focus on reducing energy consumption or increasing productivity? Which research objectives need to be achieved? In what context does the technology offer the most added value? In close collaboration with technology developers, our team strives to formulate answers to these questions and seeks out promising value chains using techno-economic analyses. In a techno-economic analysis, we simultaneously examine processes from a technical and an economic perspective. We do this in a substantiated, quantified manner, in intensive collaboration with technology owners, external experts, and stakeholders.

Within the team, we work on various topics such as the bio-based economy, carbon capture and utilization (CCU), and plastics recycling. For example, we are investigating whether CO2 originating from the steel sector can be converted into higher-value products through fermentation in an economically viable manner. In another project, we are examining the applications for which bio-based aromatics derived from lignin can be used. Furthermore, we are evaluating where chemical recycling of plastics can provide added value. You can find more information here .

With this vacancy, we aim to strengthen our team with a colleague who is fascinated by technological innovations and their economic feasibility, and who prefers to develop a helicopter view of the value chain rather than specialize in specific processes.

With this vacancy, we offer a challenging job in which a diversity of processes and value chains are evaluated from a broad, multidisciplinary perspective using our internally developed techno-economic analysis method.

Specific job content:

• You analyze (quantitatively and qualitatively) new technologies in close collaboration with internal VITO experts and test them externally in the market with potential partners and customers.
• You evaluate, communicate, and report your results to our clients (Flemish and European) and the research community (i.e. scientific publications and conferences) to provide advice on the technical research objectives that must be achieved to make new, sustainable processes a commercial success;
• You take into account the various valorization possibilities of processes and seek the optimal context in which these processes can be implemented. Based on the results, you provide solutions and advice to companies, governments, and knowledge institutions;
• You execute (inter)national projects with a focus on the further development of the internally developed techno-economic analysis method;
• In the long term, you will autonomously seek out new research projects and tracks for the further development of your own techno-economic analysis method. You will contribute to drafting proposals and help explore funding opportunities for the proposals.

Job requirements

Profile

• You hold at least a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, or Business Engineering;
• You have an analytical mindset and are critical of your results;
• You get energy from building market knowledge and insights and interacting with stakeholders;
• You have a good knowledge of Excel;
• You enjoy working in a team, but can also complete tasks independently;
• You have strong communication skills;
• Good knowledge of Dutch is a plus;
• You are more of a generalist than a detail-oriented person.

Our offer

• A competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package, including allowances, insurance, and a modular vacation day package.
• We work activity-based: our activities determine our location. Our head office is located in Mol. Hybrid and/or part-time working from home and/or working from a satellite office in Antwerp-Berchem, Ghent, Ostend, or Genk is possible.
• A lot of freedom and flexibility in your job, allowing you to achieve an attractive work-life balance.
• Innovation is our core value. Therefore, it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to take additional training and continuously keep their expertise up to date.
• The opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its advanced technological research and scientific consultancy.