Marie Curie Doctoral network PhD candidate in atmospheric aerosol and solar research

The PhD position is part of the Marie Curie doctoral Dust network (Dust-DN), bringing together expertise on mineral dust in the atmosphere and multidisciplinary methods. Dust-DN is a strategic, international, and intersectoral alliance of high-profile partners supervising 17 PhD students in Europe. It will be able to deliver advances in understanding fundamental dust properties and and the dust aerosol - solar radiation interactions.

Phd overview

Title: Identification of dust aerosol properties from different sources using sun-photometry and their effects on spectral solar irradiance

Brief description

Spectral measurements of solar irradiance will be exploited to provide information on aerosol microphysical properties for different dust sources (Sahara, Middle East, Central China). Total-column properties, vertical profiles, aerosol inversion models (GRASP) and other sources of dust mineralogy will provide additional information. Existing measurements (Tenerife, Spain - Saharan dust), Cyprus (Middle East and Saharan) and  China and also measurements to be conducted during the project, will be used. Measurements in other relevant locations, based on available aerosol networks will be also exploited.

Expected potential results

Improved knowledge of dust aerosol optical properties associated to different dust sources, spectral signatures (UV, Visible, IR) of dust effects on solar radiation, Assessment of uncertainties on the global Earth-atmosphere radiative effect, Impacts of solar exposure, e.g. erythemal, vitamin D, DNA damage, photosynthetically active radiation, satellite validation aspects. Dust spatiotemporal changes and effects on spectral solar irradiance.

Secondments

The project includes 4 to 6 weeks visits to the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Spain (dust modelling and dust mineralogy training),   GRASP SAS Lille, France (Introduction and hands on experience of the GRASP algorithm for enhanced aerosol optical properties retrievals) and Eratosthenes Center of Excellence, Limassol, Cyprus (participating in field experiments related with aerosol and solar measurements).  

• Assist in the operational maintenance and quality control of the aerosol monitoring instruments at PMOD/WRC
• Participate in international scientific field campaigns with aerosol and solar measurements
• Work with radiative transfer and aerosol models
• Derive aerosol microphysical and optical properties and links with solar measurements
• Derive solar and natural aerosol trends based on satellite and ground-based measurements
• Present project results at international conferences and workshops, write and publish your research in peer-reviewed scientific journals research publications
• Participate in ETHZ related activities and also the Marie Cures Dust Doctoral network activities

• You hold a MSc degree in natural sciences, experimental physics, or related field
• You are proficient in writing your own software code in a high-level programming environment such as Matlab, Python, or similar
• You have experience in analysing atmospheric remote sensing data sets and related statistical tools are an asset
• You have excellent written and oral English skills
• According to the Marie Curie eligibility criteria you should have stayed one year or less in the past 3 years in Switzerland

PMOD/WRC is a research institute located at Davos, in the Grisons, Swiss Alps. It’s core mandate is to operate the world radiation center of the World Meteorological Organisation. Within the WRC the total solar irradiance, UV and IR and the World aerosol optical depth research and calibration centers are included. WRC group works in various projects related with instrument metrology, measurement techniques, atmospheric measurements, modelling and research on aerosols, ozone, clouds and solar radiation.

We offer:

• an attractive workplace at a world-leading Institute in a beautiful touristic town in the Swiss Alps.
• candidate will join an international team of scientists with state of the art expertise in remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols, solar measurements, aerosol and solar modelling, statistical time series analyses, to help answer key questions concerning the aerosol dust properties and their effects on solar radiation and climate.
• candidate will be affiliated to the ETHZ Department of Environmental Systems Science Institute for Atmosphere and Climate, group of Prof. Dr. Martin Wild.
• we respect and support the compatibility of professional and private life and promote individual development opportunities. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment. Please visit our gender equality plan further information.