Internship contract | Belvaux | 6 Months

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a leading Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) that drives innovation for the economy and society in Luxembourg and beyond. With cutting-edge expertise in Natural, Built, Industrial environments, Space, AI, Security and defence technologies. LIST bridges scientific excellence and applied research to design solutions that address real-world challenges and create positive impact.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

How will you contribute?

As part of LIST’s SUSTAIN unit (Environmental Sustainability Assessment and Circularity), the Environmental Policies (EPS) group provides science-based input to the definition and implementation of environmental policies at national and EU level, in particular policies around chemical safety, circular (bio-)economy (e.g. in construction and textile), soil pollution, climate, and water efficiency, and feeds, at the interface of science, technologies and policies, the regulatory perspective into RDI projects around these topics.

You will join the EPS team, led by Arno Biwer.

The transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy is creating new opportunities for the development of bio-based value chains. In Luxembourg, assessing these opportunities requires an understanding of locally available biological resources, potential applications, relevant stakeholders, and the regulatory, economic and environmental conditions that may support or constrain development.

The proposed traineeship will contribute to this assessment and will also examine bioeconomy strategies in neighbouring regions and identify opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

Bioeconomy relies on biological resources sourced from agroforestry activities and organic residues and waste. The first step will be to identify the biological resources available in Luxembourg and assess their potential for (local) processing and use. Relevant economic and environmental issues and challenges will then be analysed to map potential opportunities, risks, strengths and weaknesses. The construction sector offers significant opportunities to integrate bioeconomy value chains and is a major part of Luxembourg’s economy. The analysis will therefore make an additional focus on opportunities for bio-based products and construction applications, as well as on the biological resources available locally to produce them.

The assessment of Luxembourg’s bioeconomy potential and challenges, including opportunities in construction, will draw on economic, environmental, social and regulatory criteria and indicators to be selected from the G2020 high-level principles and the EU Bioeconomy Monitoring System as a priority. These criteria and indicators will be assessed for their relevance and compatibility with qualitative and quantitative targets in national strategic plans for energy, waste management and the circular economy, as well as in other national transition scenarios and in the EU and national regulatory frameworks.

The analysis of Luxembourg context will be completed with the review of bioeconomy strategies and roadmaps in regions neighbouring Luxembourg. The review will identify their priorities, implementation status, enabling factors and constraints, taking account of regional contexts, including resource availability, circularity and economic priorities. Findings will be compared with the assessment of Luxembourg’s main barriers and enabling factors to determine how far the most promising actions could be adapted or replicated.

Finally, drawing on the analyses of Luxembourg and neighbouring regions, relevant stakeholders – including public bodies, research organisations and industrial actors – will be mapped across Luxembourg and the Greater Region. This will help identify opportunities for cross-border collaboration and development.

By the end of the traineeship, the trainee is expected to deliver a structured analysis of Luxembourg’s bioeconomy context and potential, including specific incentives for the construction sector, complemented and supported with a comparative review of relevant neighbouring-region bioeconomy strategies, and with the identification of potentially relevant stakeholders at Luxembourg and Greater Region scale.

Is your profile described below? Are you our future trainee? Apply now!

Education

The ideal candidate will be pursuing a degree in a relevant field, such as bioeconomy, environmental sciences, engineering, economics, industrial ecology, sustainability, or public policy.

The candidate should have:

• Strong analytical, and synthesis skills.

• An interest in bio-based value chains and sustainability.

• The ability to work independently and organise information from diverse sources.

• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

Language skills

• Knowledge of French and/or German, and familiarity with the Luxembourg or Greater Region context, would be an advantage.

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 60 nationalities represented in our workforce

• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays

The monthly gross internship allowance is 1,400 euros for a full-time equivalent (40 hours per week).

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A CV with contact details

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.