PhD position - Global source apportionment of particulate matter air pollution

At the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems - Tropsphere (ICE-3) we investigate the chemical and physical processes in the troposphere that impact the chemical composition of the atmosphere. We perform atmospheric long-term observations and climate interactions by using numerical models. We are seeking for a new PhD student to work within a three-year program of the Graduate School HITEC. The offered PhD position will be part of the Helmholtz Research for Grand Challenges funded project “A Comprehensive Approach to Harnessing the Innovation Potential of Direct Air Capture and Storage for Reaching CO2-Neutrality” (DACStorE). DACStorE brings together researcher teams from 7 Helmholtz Centers and Project Partner Institutions to pave the way for a large and sustainable scale-up of Direct Air Capture technology. About us: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/ice/ice-3 HITEC Graduate school: https://www.hitec-graduate-school.de/ About DACStorE: https://www.dacstore-project.com/en

Your Job:

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the importance of finding ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere to meet climate change targets. One strongly considered solution is Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS), which involves capturing CO2 from the air and storing it underground in geological formations. However, the operation of DAC facilities could release significant amounts of pollutants, forming toxic gases and atmospheric aerosols. Atmospheric aerosols affect human health and play an important role in changing the Earth’s climate. Therefore, atmospheric chemical modelling can provide valuable insights into the potential risks associated with the use of proposed DAC technology.


In this PhD project, you will provide an initial assessment of the atmospheric impact of emissions from DAC facilities by

• Developing a computationally efficient atmospheric aerosol apportionment module within a global Chemistry Climate Model (CCM)
  
  
• Using source-specific species to track the contribution of yource locations and classes to atmospheric aerosol formation
  
  
• Investigate the contribution of DAC facilities to ambient particulate matter concentrations and the potential long -range transport of pollutants
  
  
• Investigate the impact of emission control policies (e.g. reduction of SO2, NOx,NH3 and VOC) from specific sources and sectors on future atmospheric aerosol formation
  

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree in physics, chemistry,environmental sciences or related field
  
  
• High interest in working in a transdisciplinary collaboration between experts on the process and climate scale
  
  
• Profound programming knowledge in FORTRAN and scripting languages (e.g. Python)
  
  
• Excellent knowledge of written and oral English, German language skills are not necessary
  

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• An international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments
  
  
• Excellent technical facilities, including access to one of the most powerful High Performance Computing centers in Europe
  
  
• An exciting, transdisciplinary teamwork within a multinational European project
  
  
• Chance of participating in (international) conferences and project meetings
  
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  
  
• Broad spectrum of training in the Graduate school HITEC ( https://www.hitec-graduate-school.de/ ) and Forschungszentrum Jülich
  
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
  
• A three year contract with payment and social benefits in line with 67,5% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“).
  

• Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs
  
  
• About us: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/ice/ice-3
  
  
• HITEC Graduate school: https://www.hitec-graduate-school.de/
  
  
• About DACStorE: https://www.dacstore-project.com/en
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.