Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Atmospheric Chemistry Modelling (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate to join the group of Professor Chiara Giorio at the Department of Chemistry on a research project aimed at using oxidation products of isoprene and monoterpenes for paleoclimate reconstruction.

The project, funded by Leverhulme Trust, involves atmospheric chemistry box-modelling of the oxidation of isoprene and monoterpenes (e.g., alpha- and beta-pinene) including secondary organic aerosol production and multiphase reactivity. A particular target of the modelling work are the oxidation end-products in the particulate phase and the relationship between the relative abundance of those products in simulations run under different exposure to atmospheric oxidants (e.g., ozone and OH radical). Additional work will include an error propagation analysis to assess the uncertainty to the relationship between oxidation product patterns and oxidant concentrations.

Applicants should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in a relevant area. Experience in atmospheric box-modelling is essential, experience in models such as GAMMA, CAPRAM, or GECKO-A is an advantage, as would additional experience/knowledge on atmospheric transport. Demonstrated ability in computer programming and/or complex data analysis is desirable as well as research experience, excellent communication skills, critical thinking, trouble-shooting attitude, and openness to collaborating with internal and external partners.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join a predominantly experimentally based-multidisciplinary team work on atmospheric chemistry and ice core science. The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Interact with the experimental team to isolate a short-list of promising oxidation products to be searched for in ice cores from different locations (including Antarctica);
• Contribute to data analysis to extract atmospheric chemistry information from organic compounds determined in ice cores;
• Provide reports (written and oral) for project partners and funders;
• Lead and contribute to scientific publications, and present results at international conferences;
• Participate to group meetings, internal thematic meetings, and external project meetings.

The successful applicant may also have the opportunity to engage in:

• teaching and supervising final year or Masters projects;
• overseeing other research personnel;
• provide orientation to new lab members;
• perform other duties as assigned.

Anticipated Start Date: as soon as possible after recruitment process is completed (e.g., February/March 2025)

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department/institution/Faculty/School/University.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and include a publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

For queries regarding applying online for this post, please contact Prof Chiara Giorio (email: cg525@cam.ac.uk).

Please quote reference MA44542 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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