PhD student in Atmospheric Chemistry

18 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Gothenburg

Research Field

Chemistry » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

29 Jun 2023 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

1035--1-30479

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology offers doctoral education within the fields of chemical sciences, molecular life sciences and environmental sciences. From August 2023, we will be located in Natrium, a new building for natural and life sciences with access to modern education and research facilities.

The group focuses on the oxidation chemistry of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their implications for air quality and climate change.  The current research projects range from chamber studies to field campaign measurements. These projects use advanced mass spectrometric techniques (e.g. a chemical ionization mass spectrometer with filter inlet for gases and aerosols (FIGAERO-CIMS) and ancillary instrumentation for the characterization of organic compounds in the gas and particle phase in different environments. The aim is to identify the sources and to determine the key oxidation processes of organic compounds in these environments, with a specific focus on organic nitrates (ONs). Organic nitrates (ONs), are an important reservoir of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and play a crucial role for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and tropospheric ozone (O3 ) production. 

Duties   

The PhD position, which is partly funded by resources from FORMAS-the research council for sustainable development, will have a research focus on developing a molecular-level understanding of key processes that are of importance for the occurrence and properties of secondary organic aerosol and ONs. This project includes both fieldwork and laboratory experiments with a FIGAERO-CIMS, and chemistry modeling. Specifically, the candidate will

• perform both ground-based and airborne observation with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based sampling platform to detect chemicals for both urban and rural environments.
• perform laboratory experiments to constrain physiochemical processes responsible for the SOA and ONs’ formation and evolution
• use the obtained knowledge from field observation and lab experiments in models to better assess how ONs influence regional air quality.

The PhD education includes the development of skills and knowledge in general tools applicable to the research. E.g. one will achieve detailed knowledge within advanced mass spectroscopy and data analysis using programming software such as of Python, MatLab, or similar. For mechanistic evaluation the candidate will use kinetic modelling for use in chemical transport models. Any pre-knowledge using these tools are beneficial but not a requirement. The research topic is within atmospheric chemistry implying applicants would benefit from having a background in chemistry or alternatively within physics, geosciences, or environmental science.

The PhD education follows the general curriculum for a Phd within Natural science at University of Gothenburg  

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.    

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.    

Eligibility   

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements: A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if he or she:

has been awarded a second-cycle qualification,

has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or

has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must: (i) have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or (ii) have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or (iii) have completed a corresponding program of relevance to the planned third-cycle program, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria   

We seek a talented and dedicated doctoral student eager to pursue a career in chemistry with an interest in environmental phenomena. You should be open-minded, keen to learn and have a genuine interest in science. The ideal candidate has broad knowledge within chemistry ideally with courses in atmospheric chemistry and environmental science in their past curriculum. We welcome applicants with documented laboratory experience where experience utilizing High-Resolution Chemical Ionisation MS is advantageous, as is knowledge in data analysis using Python, MatLab or similar. You should be able to work independently and in a group, and communicate well in English.

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:

The following criteria will be applied in selecting among applicants:

- Qualifications from basic and advanced education.

- The relevance and acquired skills of previous studies or work for the planned postgraduate studies.

- The applicant's ability to work in a research group.

- Assessment of the applicant's ability to benefit from research studies.  

Employment   

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100 %

Location: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg

First day of employment: As soon as possible based on agreement

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for education on a doctoral level are given in SFS 1993:100.

A new employment as a PhD student applies for a maximum of one year. The Appointment may be prolonged for up to two years at a time. The total employment period may not be longer than the equivalent of four years of full time doctoral studies.

University applies local agreement on salaries of graduate students.  

Contact information 

Main supervisor: Cheng Wu, [email protected]

Co-supervisor: Mattias Hallquist, [email protected]   

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande      

Application   

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system, where you also find the complete job advertisement. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the complete job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

 Applications must be received by: 2023-06-30 

 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Geosciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Chemistry » Other

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Gothenburg

Country

Sweden

City

Göteborg

Postal Code

40530

Street

Medicinaregatan 9C

Where to apply

Website

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/main?site=7&validator=9b89bead79bb725…

Contact

City

Göteborg

Street

Medicinaregatan 9C

Postal Code

40530

STATUS: EXPIRED