Doctoral Student in Aerosol Technology: in-situ measurements of particle surface and bulk composition (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts and is co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will lead to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. With a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.

Description of the workplace

The Phd position is hosted by the division of Ergonomics & Aerosol Technology (EAT), Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University. The research focus of the aerosol group at EAT is on emissions and health effects of aerosols. The research conducted is typically multi-disciplinary and performed in close collaboration with researchers in various subject disciplines such as atmospheric science, toxicology and epidemiology,with access to internationally leading laboratories. https://www.eat.lth.se/english/research/airborne-particles-and-health/. The division actively works on maintaining an environment where openness, teamwork, and support amongst the collegium is highly valued.

The division coordinates AEROSOLS, a profile area at the Faculty of Engineering (LTH). Over 100 researchers from PhD-students to professors carry out multidisciplinary research, mostly focused on air quality and the impacts on health and climate with the aim to provide solutions to our major societal challenges. The open position relates most closely to AEROSOLS focus area 2: “Atmospheric aerosols, processing and clouds”. (https://www.lth.se/english/research/profile-areas/aerosols/).

Axel Eriksson, Associate Professor, is the main supervisor of the student to be recruited. His research focuses on environmental and health impact of aerosols and the physicochemical properties and processes which cause them. Eriksson specializes in “in-situ” aerosol measurement techniques, where particles are studied in their suspended state, typically in a time resolved manner.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. Here the research studies revolve around the physical/chemical properties of aerosol particles, which we will measure using synchrotron light and auxiliary instruments, to improve understanding of aerosol effects on public health, and climate change. The work duties may also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

As a PhD student engaged in the research projects 1) Secondary organic aerosol -real time particle surface measurement at MAX IV and 2) Chemically resolved lung deposition measurements on regionally transported particulate air pollution your work will focus on physicochemical aerosol characterization using state-of-the art (and beyond!) tools. The work will be primarily experimental, and as the work includes advanced analytical tools and data analysis, a solid theoretical science foundation is needed. A detailed understanding of the operational principles underlying “in-situ” aerosol composition measurements will be required to carry out the projects. For this work, understanding the measurement is a prerequisite for understanding the aerosol.

You will work in close collaboration with researchers at and outside Lund University, in a milieu combining complementary expertise in aerosol characterization, atmospheric science, pollution health effects, as well as mass- and photoelectron spectroscopy. The main method to be used is “online” aerosol measurement facilitated by aerodynamic focusing of particles for synchrotron and/or mass spectrometry experiments. Specifically, you will use an aerosol mass spectrometer (Jayne et al 2000) to measure aerosol particle composition, and the Aerosol Sample Delivery System (Preger et al 2024) for particle surface measurements. The ASDS is currently used at FinEstBeAMS and was designed for multi-beamline use

Your PhD studies will generate knowledge about the processes which underly climate and health impact from aerosol. There will be emphasis on the possibilities, limitations, and development of novel instrumentation. You are expected and encouraged to participate in international conferences and travel for experiments as needed. (The vast majority of your experiments will be in Lund, Sweden).

Planned activities are part of the LTH profile aera AEROSOLS (https://www.lth.se/english/research/profile-areas/aerosols/), the strategic research area MERGE (https://www.merge.lu.se/modelling-regional-and-global-earth-system), and the LINXS theme ECL (https://www.linxs.se/environment-and-climate).

The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge. A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

Relevant publications:

Jayne et al. (2000). Development of an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer for Size and Composition Analysis of Submicron Particles. Aerosol Science and Technology

Preger et al 2024. A versatile sample delivery system for x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of in-flight aerosols and free nanoparticles at MAX IV Laboratory. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Aerosol Technology if the applicant has:

• at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second cycle credits, or
• a one- or two-year Master’s degree or an MSc in Engineering of relevance to the field

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have NOT resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2021-08-01 to 2024-08-31 for work or studies as main occupation.
• You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme if you qualify for a doctoral candidacy, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, we welcome applicants from various backgrounds, for example, physics, biotechnology, nanoscience, chemistry or medicine.
• Experience in experimental work and ability for skillful laboratory work.
• Theoretical knowledge or demonstrated experience of X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and/or aerosol mass spectrometry.
• Theoretical knowledge or demonstrated experience of other advanced physicochemical characterization techniques.
• Experience of aerosol measurements (lab or field).
• Experience in scientific interaction with researchers across disciplines.
• Demonstrated skillfulness in advanced data analysis (preferably using IGOR PRO)

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. By supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV in Europass format
• a two-page cover letter(maximum), justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications as well as the prioritization in case of applying to several PRISMAS positions
• at least one reference letter
• an evidence of English 3 proficiency (minimum B2 level)
• copy of academic records, including marks for all coursework with a transcript of diploma in English,
• and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)

All documents should be uploaded (pdf) in the job application portal. Exam certificates and other documents on paper should be scanned or photographed before being uploaded.

In regard to incomplete applications (especially if lacking the abovementioned documents), the PRISMAS Management reserves the right to exclude them in the selection process, without any additional notification to the applicant. The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience.

Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se)

For more detailed information on the position or the research project, please contact:
Axel.Eriksson@design.lth.se

If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se

For questions on the employment conditions and the university, please contact: Cilla.Perlhagen@design.lth.se

Welcome to apply!