Postdoctoral position in analysis of long-time series of aerosol data to evaluate land-use dependence Full-time

Postdoctoral Position In Analysis Of Long-Time Series Of Aerosol Data To Evaluate Land-Use Dependence

The position is based in the Division of Combustion Physics at Lund University. The Aerosol Research Group studies atmospheric aerosol particles and their impacts on climate and air quality using in-situ and satellite measurements, process modelling, and global modelling. The group is part of the strategic research area MERGE, focused on climate modelling. Aerosol research has been conducted at Lund since the 1970s and is now a designated profile area at LTH.

The postdoctoral researcher will be connected to the ACTRIS and ICOS infrastructures for atmospheric and ecosystem science through the Hyltemossa and Norunda field sites in Sweden, working closely with station staff and colleagues that develop scientific projects.

The position is funded through a MERGE initiative to exploit these measurement data to clarify how different ecosystems influence aerosol particle properties and their climate effects. The project investigates how meteorological conditions and biosphere–atmosphere exchanges affect aerosol concentrations and climate, and whether these sensitivities are represented in aerosol process models, Earth system models, and dynamic vegetation models. The work is closely linked to the Horizon Europe project CLIMB-FOREST, which aims to better understand forest climate impacts through short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs).

You will be working with long-term aerosol datasets from the Hyltemossa and Norunda field sites to find relationship between aerosol properties and their land-use origin or meteorological parameters. This is done by tracing aerosols to their source of origin with air mass back trajectories or by performing source apportionment with source/receptor models and machine-learning tools. Data analyzed include precursors such as volatile organic compounds, aerosol number and mass concentrations, chemistry, biological particles, cloud and ice condensation nuclei, light scattering and absorption and black carbon. Several years of aerosol-dynamics and Lagrangian box-model simulations including runs with modified land use and aerosol process representations will be analyzed together with data from earth system models. For this, the postdoc will assess the sensitivity of modelled volatile organic compounds, aerosol properties and processes to land-use changes, evaluate model performance and propose updated model parameterizations where justified. The postdoc will not run or develop models and do new measurements. Work tasks also include writing scientific publications related to this research. You are expected to attend project meetings and present results at scientific conferences.

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• You have very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Comprehensive knowledge about aerosols.

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• Prior experience in working with large aerosol datasets.
• Knowledge in programming to analyse data and display scientific results.
• You are independent, have good collaboration skills, likes to take initiatives and are well structured.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

Applications shall be written in English. Applications are to be submitted via the University's recruitment system. The application should include a CV including publication list (max 4 pages) and a personal letter (max 2 pages) justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts including an explanation of the grading system, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)

Welcome to apply!