Postdoctoral Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences

at the Department of Environmental Science. Closing date: 15 March 2024.

The Department of Environmental Science is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science. The department consists of four units with more than 170 researchers, teachers, doctoral students and technical/administrative staff from over 30 countries. Research and teaching focuses on chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology. As an employee at the Department of Environmental Science you will be part of a dynamic environment with research at the forefront of science, excellent education and with a strong international profile.

The research at the Atmospheric Science Unit follows an interdisciplinary approach towards understanding the composition of air and its influence on climate and human health. The majority of the research activities focus on the life cycle and impact of atmospheric particles known as aerosols. We use a broadband of various state-of-the-art experimental methods within field and controlled laboratory studies, as well as different modelling approaches covering various scales.

Project description
Aerosols and their interactions with clouds still are a major contributor to the uncertainties when estimating the anthropogenic impact on Earth’s climate. Human influence on atmospheric aerosol are also likely to result in perturbations in the extent and properties of clouds. This effect remains poorly understood. The microphysical properties and chemical composition of aerosol particles, and their interaction with water vapour and meteorology represent a complex system with multiple simultaneous interactions. Understanding this complex system and using this knowledge to improve predictions of future climate, is one of the major challenges in atmospheric science.

This Postdoc project aims to improve our understanding of aerosol-cloud processes by using observations, and by providing expertise and data to different kinds of model development. The successful candidate will analyse recently collected state-of-the-art observations of aerosols and clouds from the Swedish-lead expedition ARTofMELT2023 on board the icebreaker Oden. Further, the candidate will collect and evaluate own field data on an international field campaign planned for fall and winter 2024/2025 at Mt. Helmos in Greece.

Main responsibilities
The specific goals of this project will be to:

1. Measure, analyse and interpret data on aerosol and cloud microphysical and chemical properties; and
2. contribute to the improvement of theoretical and numerical models describing cloud formation, aerosol dynamics and eventually the climate system by providing the needed experimental input.

It will be part of the Horizon Europe project CleanCloud. The overall goal of CleanCloud is to enhance our knowledge on aerosol-cloud-interactions and improve their representation in climate models, quantifying their impacts on weather and climate, and thus societies. As part of CleanCloud, the Postdoc will join a vivid international research community.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills such as experience in experimental atmospheric sciences (preferable with aerosol and cloud instrumentation) and experience in data analysis.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2024-03-01 or as per agreement.

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

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Assoc. Prof Paul Zieger, telephone: +46 8 674 76 34, paul.zieger@aces.su.se. Prof Ilona Riipinen, telephone: +46 735 85 92 51, ilona.riipinen@aces.su.se. Dr. Radovan Krejci, telephone: +46 8 674 72 24, radovan.krejci@aces.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the 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
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

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

You are welcome to apply!

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