Postdoctoral fellow in volcanic impact on the stratosphere and climate

Description of the workplace
The post-doctoral position is placed at the division of Combustion Physics. The aerosol research group at combustion physics conducts research on atmospheric aerosol particles and their impact on climate and air quality. This research involves aerosol in-situ measurements, satellite measurements, process modelling and global modelling. The research group is part of the strategic research area MERGE (https://www.merge.lu.se) that work with climate modelling. Aerosol research has been conducted at Lund University since the 1970-ies and Aerosols is now a profile area at the Faculty of Engineering (https://www.lth.se/english/research/profile-areas/aerosols/).  

Combustion physics has approximately 70 employees and is located in the Enoch Thulin-laboratory at the Physics Department. The division actively works to create a friendly working environment and has a well-being group that arranges board game nights, excursions, and other activities.

The postdoctoral position is focused the climatic impact of volcanic eruptions with an aim of reducing the uncertainties in projections of the future climate. The project will utilise SO2 and aerosol data retrieved by satellite instruments and a global climate model.

Subject description
The subject of the position is volcanic effluents and how they impact the stratosphere and climate.

Work duties

Explosive volcanic eruptions can inject millions of tons of particle forming sulphur dioxide (SO2) into the stratosphere elevating the stratospheric aerosol load. Stratospheric particles have lifetimes on the order of months or years inducing long lasting climate cooling. The resulting climate impact highly depends on the injection altitude. Most SO2 instruments have very limited, if any, vertical resolution adding uncertainty in the current model simulations.

This project focuses on combining satellite data and global climate modelling to estimate the climate cooling from volcanic eruptions. We have developed a method to produce high vertical resolution SO2 data (see Sandvik et al. 2021: doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7153-2021). You will apply our SO2 method to volcanic eruptions that reached the stratosphere during the past 20 years. This data will be implemented in the global climate model WACCM. You will study the aerosol particle’s formation, distribution, and their climate cooling effect predicted by the model, and compare it with previous simulation results. The model results will also be compared with aerosol observations from satellites to validate the simulations (see Axebink et al. 2024: doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1448). The overarching goal is to gain a better understanding on volcanism’s impact on the climate.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good knowledge in programming.
• Comprehensive knowledge about atmospheric physics and/or chemistry.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
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 researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• Prior experience in working with satellite data of gases or aerosols.
• Prior experience in working with climate modelling or data therefrom.
• Knowledge in Matlab or Python programming (or similar).
• Prior work with emissions from volcanic eruptions.
• You are independent, have good collaboration skills, likes to take initiatives and are well structured.  

Consideration will also be given to 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.

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.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years (with a possibility for an extension for one more year). The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications (max 4 pages),
• a personal letter (max 2 pages) justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications,
• degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts including an explanation of the grading system, letters of recommendation, etc.),
• contact information of at least two references.

Welcome to apply!