PhD Student (index no. 5502-02)

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2100 people.

For the Aerosol Physics Group within the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry we are looking for a

PhD Student

In experimental research on aerosol optics

Your tasks

Polarimetric measurements quantifying the angular distribution of light scattering by aerosol particles, i.e. the phase function, provide ample information on aerosol microphysical properties. The broader aim of this project is to bridge the gap between ground-based and remote sensing aerosol observations, which rely on polarimetry, by deploying a new laser imaging polar nephelometer for in-situ measurements of phase functions. Acquired data will also be used to assess aerosol property retrieval algorithms.

During this PhD you will:

• Perform laboratory and field experiments to determine phase functions and aerosol physical properties of well constrained and more complex atmospheric aerosols
• Adapt existing inversion codes to retrieve aerosol microphysical properties
• Compare retrieval results against independent measurements to identify capabilities and limitations of different data inversion approaches
• Collaborate with internal and external project team members for closure studies based on parallel in situ and remote sensing observations
• Write and contribute to high quality peer-reviewed publications on aerosol polarimetry
• The PhD degree will be received from ETH Zurich