Research Fellow in Atmospheric Measurements

Fixed Term Contract for 3 years 

Full time starting salary is £37,337 to £43,158 per annum 

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire 

We welcome applications from passionate measurement scientists to join our team, to develop and deploy a new instrument measuring oxidative reactivity, which will contribute to improved knowledge of the atmospheric lifetime of methane and other gases. 

About the Role

The successful candidate will integrate a gas chromatograph with photo-ionisation detector (iDirac) with an Atmospheric Oxidation Module to develop an autonomous OH reactivity instrument. After testing at the University of Leeds’ reactor, four units will be deployed at observatories to enhance understanding of OH concentrations and methane removal rates. 

The successful candidate will lead on this project and have the opportunity to play a leadership role in further development of iDirac and in the use of atmospheric instruments at Cranfield more generally. They will lead on the interpretation of the measurements and the publication of high quality, peer-reviewed papers. 

This role will be mainly based in the laboratory and will also require working at the National Physical Laboratory and the University of Leeds. Some overseas work will be required for the deployment of the new instrument. 

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in a discipline related to atmospheric science. You will be a self-motivated, ambitious individual with an active interest in supporting evidence-driven decision-making through the development of novel atmospheric instruments. This position is aimed at post-doctoral researchers. You will have experience in relevant areas such as making atmospheric measurements, instrument development, chromatography, coding skills and will have experience of or interest in making field measurements of the atmosphere. You will have excellent communication skills and be confident to work both independently and as part of a team. 

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion, please contact Professor Neil Harris, on (E): Neil.Harris@cranfield.ac.uk

To apply please click above 'Apply' Button. For further details contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5046.

Closing date for applications: 7 May 2025

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