Research position in Aerosol Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
The position is connected to the Atmospheric Aerosol Group, studying airborne particles, within the Division of Nuclear Physics at the Department of Physics. Our research activities deal with role of atmospheric aerosols in the important environmental issues of climate and health.

We are looking for a researcher at the Post Doc level contributing to a research project funded by Swedish VR that depend on the characterization of atmospheric aerosol particles at our new ICOS-ACTRIS station at Hyltemossa in southern Sweden (60 km north of Lund).

The aim of the VR project is to quantify the number concentration and properties of individual soot particles in Swedish background air with the aim to identify sources and processes. Our advanced and unique combination of aerosol instruments makes it possible for us to measure the relevant properties of individual soot particles. We measure the size of the soot core, its mass, structure and effective density, as well as thickness and chemical composition of the coating layer surrounding the soot core.

The aerosol observations at Hyltemossa are also carried out within the framework of the pan-European research infrastructure ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, Trace gases Research Infrastructure, www.actris.eu). The research is a collaboration with scientists at the Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University, who are responsible for the ICOS greenhouse gas observations at Hyltemossa.

Work duties
The research is focused on measurements of soot particles in the atmosphere within the framwork of projects that study the ageing of soot in the atmosphere and the number fraction of soot particles in Swedish background air. The research work will mainly be performed using avanced aerosol instrumentation such as an SP2 soot photometer and aerosol mass spectrometers (AMS and ACSM). Evalution of the acquired data is also part of the work duties. The researcher will also participate in work at our background station at Hyltemossa (service, data reporting) and supervise a PhD student working within the projects. The researcher is expected to carry out independent experimental research work, in close collaboration with a group of scientists and engineers.

Qualification requirements
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researcher.

Appointment as a researcher requires that the following criteria are fulfilled: 

• The applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position.
• Extended research experience following the PhD exam.
• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of supervision.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
For appointment to the position, the following additional criteria will be included in the assessment:

• Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject in question ”Aerosol Science with focus on atmospheric aerosols and their impact on climate and human health”.
• Experience in experimental research work on atmospheric aerosols, in particular experience in on-line instruments for measuring individual soot particles such as the Droplet Measurement Technologies Single Particle Soot Photometer SP2.
• Demonstrated capability to publish in leading international scientific journals.
• Experience in operating on-line aerosol instruments that measure important climate and health-relevant physical and chemical aerosol properties in-situ and with high time resolution.
• Experience in analysis of large data sets from on-line aerosol instruments.
• Programming skills and the use of software relevant for the operation and evaluation of on-line aerosol instruments and large data sets.
• Driver’s licence. 

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment limited to the time period 1 August 2020 – 28 February 2022 (19 months).

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/