Your Mission
The Extreme Environments Research Laboratory (EERL) is looking for a PhD student for the “ORigin of Antarctic CLoud particles and their Effects on the Surface radiation budget (ORACLES)” project. Within ORACLES we will study aerosol-cloud interactions over Antarctica with a tethered balloon and ground-based remote sensing. Your mission will be to analyze field data and perform numerical simulations of aerosols and their interactions with clouds based on ORACLES’ in situ and remote sensing datasets.
The EERL focuses on understanding natural and anthropogenic atmospheric processes, as well as exchange processes between the atmosphere and cryosphere, ocean and (inhabited) land that have climate impact and are impacted by climate. EERL forms part of EPFL’s new Alpine and Polar Environments Research Centre (ALPOLE) in Sion.
For the application, you must submit your documents in two places:
1) To Julia Schmale per email: Please submit a motivation letter with your interests and qualifications, a CV and publication list (the latter if applicable), your bachelor and master curriculum with grades, and contacts of three references.
2) Please ensure to submit as well an application to the Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE). Only applicants admitted to EDCE can be considered for this position. Submission deadlines for EDCE are September 15, 2023, and January 15, 2024
Please note, PhD positions are awarded initially for one year. After one year of successful probation, the initial contract can be extended up to a total of four years.
Main Duties and Responsibilities include
- Analyze field observations carried out within the ORACLES project
- Perform back trajectory analyses for field campaigns
- Perform numerical simulations e.g., with GEOS-Chem or the polar-WRF model
- Tight collaboration with the project partners and participation in working meetings
- Teaching assistantship
- Part-time supervision of MSc students
Your Profile
- A master degree (or equivalent) in atmospheric, climate, or environmental science, engineering, meteorology, physics or similar.
- Interest in atmospheric studies and polar regions.
- Desire to analyze data
- Desire to work with numerical models.
- Capable of conducting scientific research independently.
- Knowledge of scientific programming.
- Data handling skills.
- Good interpersonal skills, team player.
- Good knowledge of English (written and spoken).
We offer
- A dynamic, interdisciplinary and young research group.
- A vibrant, internationally visible and rising academic institution in alpine and polar environments research.
- A great working atmosphere and ample opportunities for professional and personal development with access to many continuing education courses.
Start date: 2024 (there is flexibility)
Work rate: 100 %
For additional information and to apply: julia.schmale@epfl.ch