PhD student in Environmental Science focusing on atmospheric aerosol and cloud microphysics

at the Department of Environmental Science . Closing date: 31 August 2022.

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the biggest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of four units with more than 190 researchers, teachers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries. Research and teaching focuses on chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and (eco)toxicology. As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science you will be part of a dynamic environment with research in leading research areas and with a strong international profile.

Research in the atmospheric science unit focuses on the atmospheric composition and its impacts on climate and air quality. The majority of the research activities within the atmospheric science unit focus on understanding the life cycle and impact of aerosol particles and clouds. 

Project description

The position will be associated with the Marie Curie International Training Network CLOUD-DOC that focuses on utilizing the CLOUD facility in CERN for collecting laboratory data on aerosol and cloud microphysics. The data will be utilized to develop and evaluate models simulating atmospheric processes and addressing questions related to climate evolution and air quality.   

The PhD position focuses on understanding atmospheric nucleation, which is an important source of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. These particles can influence cloud microphysics through acting as seeds for cloud droplets. Clouds, in turn, can influence atmospheric chemistry particle formation processes through e.g. their role in transporting trace gases from the Earth’s surface to the upper troposphere or influencing the atmospheric radiative balance. The PhD project will be focused either on experimental or on numerical modelling , and the exact direction will depend on the interests and background of the successful candidate.

The experimental direction will include participating in experimental campaigns using the CLOUD chamber in CERN, coupled to comparisons with relevant field observations. The modelling direction will include developing process-modeling approaches for simulating NPF in larger scale models, particularly in the framework of a cloud resolving model coupled to an atmospheric chemistry model. For a recent publication utilizing the relevant techniques, please see Wang et al. (2022) at www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04605-4?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news .

Qualification requirements

To meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, for doctoral studies in Environmental Science, at least 45 of the credits at the second cycle must be in one of the natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences,  Meteorology or Biology) including a 30 credits thesis project. The applicant should also have 30 credits in other natural science subjects different from the major.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their ability to successfully pursue the research education. Special emphasis is put on the applicant’s knowledge and skills within the subject area, ability to express her/himself verbally and in writing, analytical aptitude, creativity, initiative and independence, and a capacity for working together with others. The evaluation will be made based on the relevance of past education and experience, grades from previous university courses (in particular at the advanced level), the quality and ambition of the independent project work, references, a cover letter motivating the candidate’s interest, and interviews.

Furthermore, the EU funded Marie-Curie Innovative Training Network projects come with strict conditions in order to ensure the maximum benefit for everyone. Researchers are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. One general rule applies to the appointment of researchers: At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Note that the mobility rule applies to the beneficiary where the researcher is recruited, and not to beneficiaries to which the researcher is sent or seconded.

Researchers can be of any nationality. All researchers recruited in a Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN must be Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs). A ESR shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. The four years start to count from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him/her to embark on a doctorate.

Please ensure you are happy to relocate and meet these criteria before applying.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations .

Terms of employment

Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Prof. Ilona Riipinen, [email protected] , telephone +46 73 585 92 51.

Union representatives

Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , [email protected] (SEKO), and PhD student representative, [email protected] ​​.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. 

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter motivating your interest for this position
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience, and a list of degree projects/theses
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Optional letters of recommendation (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

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