Contribution to methods and tools supporting eco-design practises in companies

Consumerism is widely encouraged by the actual dominating model of economy. Consumers are incited to increase the frequency and the renewal of their purchases. However, the ecological constrains are pointing the unsustainability of this model. One solution is to consider the environmental issue as an economical motivation. This is what is suggested by the “economy of functionality” (also called “the economy of the performance”). While using the usage of the product as a central function, this new approach is able to satisfy customers’ needs while diminishing environmental impacts.

Contribution to an eco-design and eco-innovation method centred on users

Facing the increasing demand of products and services friendly for the environment, eco-design methods get to be more and more popular within industrial product development processes. Those design methods have been developed to address the extraction and production phases, then the end-of- life phase even if it is still improvable. The challenge now is to upgrade the models of the use phase that are still roughly considered and do not accurately look like the actual behaviours of customers.

Last deadline : September 30th !

Ikerbasque offers 20 permanent contract positions for experienced researchers within any of the Basque Research Institution (Universities, BERC - Basque Excellence Research Centres, CRC/CIC – Cooperative Research Centres, Biomedical institutions and Technology Corporations, among others). Ikerbasque, the Basque Government granted foundation for Science, is providing permanent contracts for experienced scientist in every field of research, within any of the local research institutions. The successful candidate will be awarded with an Ikerbasque Researcher Professorship, a position at the Basque Science System, and a salary according the parameters of the local system, experience, track and past achievements and future plans (including the possibility of negotiating start-up funding).