ENAC -PhD in Arctic aerosol-cloud interaction analysis and modeling

credit: Julia Schmale, MOCCHA campaign 2018

Your mission

The Extreme Environments Research Laboratory (EERL ) is looking for a PhD student for the Vertical properties of aerosols in the Arctic lower atmosphere and their impact on cloud radiative effects (VAERTICAL ) project led by Prof. Julia Schmale. The project aims to enhance our understanding of vertical aerosol properties in the Arctic and their climate impact. Your mission will be to analyze field data of aerosols, trace gases and environmental conditions, as well as to perform numerical simulations of aerosols and their interactions with clouds. A specific focus will be on warm air mass intrusions. This position is co-supervised by Prof. Athanasios Nenes at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Processes and their Impacts (LAPI ) at EPFL. Work location will be both EPFL campuses, Sion and Lausanne.

The EERL focuses on understanding natural and anthropogenic atmospheric processes, as well as exchange processes between the atmosphere and cryosphere, ocean and (inhabited) land that have climate impact and are impacted by climate. EERL forms part of EPFL’s new Alpine and Polar Environments Research Centre (ALPOLE ) in Sion. LAPI focuses on atmospheric particulate matter (aerosols) and their impacts on atmospheric processes that impact clouds, climate, air quality and biogeochemical cycles by combining observations, theory and models.

For the application, you must submit your documents in two places:

1) To Julia Schmale and Athanasios Nenes per email: Please submit a motivation letter with your interests and qualifications, a CV and publication list (the latter if applicable), your bachelor and master curriculum with grades, and contacts of three references.

2) Please ensure to submit as well an application to the Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE ). Only applicants admitted to EDCE can be considered for this position. Submission deadlines for EDCE are April 30 and September 15, 2023.  

The submission deadline for this post is April 30th 2023. Please note, PhD positions are awarded initially for one year. After one year of successful probation, the initial contract can be extended up to a total of four years.

Main duties and responsibilities include

• Analyze field observations carried out within the VAERTICAL project
• Perform back trajectory analyses for field campaigns
• Peform numerical simulations with the polar-WRF model
• Tight collaboration with the project partners and participation in working meetings
• Teaching assistantship
• Part-time supervision of MSc students at EER and LAPI

Your profile

• A master degree (or equivalent) in atmospheric, climate, or environmental science, engineering, meteorology, physics or similar.
• Interest in atmospheric studies and polar regions.
• Desire to work with numerical models.
• Capable of conducting scientific research independently.
• Knowledge of scientific programming.
• Data handling skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, team player.
• Good knowledge of English (written and spoken).

We offer

• A dynamic, interdisciplinary and young research group.
• A vibrant, internationally visible and rising academic institution in alpine and polar environments research.
• A great working atmosphere and ample opportunities for professional and personal development with access to many continuing education courses.

Start date : As soon as possible

Work rate : 100%

Duration : 1 year and prolongation thereafter

For additional information and to apply, please contact [email protected] ; [email protected]