PhD (ESR) in Atmospheric Research on the CLOUD experiment at CERN and University of Tartu

Company Description

The University of Tartu (founded in 1632) is the oldest and largest university in Estonia, with more than 14000 students and 1800 academic staff members. The Institute of Physics (IP) pursues research in several different directions, in theoretical and experimental physics as well as materials and environmental sciences. IP has a long history in atmospheric sciences. Currently, 35 persons are working in this field. The main research topics are atmospheric and aerosol dynamics, atmospheric ions, atmospheric chemistry, forest-atmosphere interactions, aerosol instrumental design and development, atmospheric mass spectrometry, and air quality. Find out more: https://fi.ut.ee/en.  

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fund excellent research and innovation and equip researchers at all stages of their careers with new knowledge and skill through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines. The MSCA help build Europe’s capacity for research and innovation by investing in the long-term careers of excellent researchers.

Job Description

SUMMARY: Applications are invited from highly-motivated individuals wishing to carry out a PhD thesis on atmospheric research conducted at the CLOUD facility at CERN, with a particular focus on ion processes and their effects on aerosols and clouds. The successful applicant will be supervised by Prof. Heikki Junninen at the University of Tartu. You will be working in Tartu, Estonia, for 9-10 months per year and 2-3 months per year in CERN, Geneva. You will be enrolled as a PhD student in the Physics speciality (PhD programme of Physics and Chemistry) at the University of Tartu. Further information about the PhD studies: https://ut.ee/en/doctoral-studies.

POSITION: This 3-year full-time PhD student and Junior Research Fellow (Early Stage Researcher, ESR) position is at the Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Estonia. Doctoral studies and the employment contract is expected to start as soon as possible (between 15 April 2023 and 4 September 2023).

The position is part of the EU Horizon Europe Marie Curie International Training Network CLOUD-DOC, a multi-site network of ten ESRs at ten partner institutions across Europe, plus two ESRs supported by matching funds from national funding agencies. The experimental work will be carried out at the CLOUD facility at CERN and preparing instrumentations for the experiments at the University of Tartu. CLOUD is investigating, under controlled atmospheric conditions in the laboratory, the formation and growth of aerosol particles and the chemistry and microphysics of liquid and ice clouds. The central theme of CLOUD-DOC is new particle formation in cold regions of the atmosphere: the upper troposphere and polar regions. A unique focus of CLOUD is to evaluate the influence of galactic cosmic rays. The project ends on 31 August 2026.

You will join a research team that values science, technology, creativity and quality. We encourage new ideas from young scientists. You will work with a supportive team from 20 institutes in Europe and the United States that includes enthusiastic young scientists as well as some of the world's top experimental and theoretical researchers in aerosol nucleation and growth. You will carry out research at the cutting-edge CLOUD facility that addresses one of the most challenging problems in atmospheric science: understanding how aerosols and clouds affect climate change.

PROJECTS: You will focus on the role of ions and highly oxidised organic compounds in polar and upper tropospheric regions both for new particle formation and for direct effects on cloud microphysics. As well as using the CERN pion beam to simulate upper tropospheric ionisation rates, you will develop new instrumentation for measuring the chemical composition of the atmosphere with ion spectrometers and mass spectrometers, namely the Neutral and Air Ion Spectrometer (NAIS), Highly Oxidized Molecule Ion Spectrometer (HOMIS) and mobility-mass spectrometer (IMS-APiTOF).

You will be fully integrated within the overall CLOUD research programme and be a co-author or lead author on CLOUD publications. In addition to close involvement with the institute of physics at the University of Tartu and with the CLOUD experimental facility at CERN, you will have the opportunity for secondments to partner institutes.

Qualifications/Skills

To qualify for a place on the project, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Must have a master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Engineering Physics, Chemistry or Environmental Science, or a closely-related science allowing you to embark on a doctorate. Candidates who are currently studying for their MSc may apply if they will finish before 15 May 2023. However, the CLOUD-DOC contract cannot begin until the MSc is completed.
• Must not hold a PhD yet.
• Must be proficient in English.
• Must have advanced statistical and data handling skills, and good experimental skills preferably with mass spectrometers; have experience with Matlab, Igor Pro and/or Python programming, data acquisition systems, databases, readout of diverse instruments, data processing, and data analysis.
• Must have good communication skills and good team skills. Be a highly organised person with an independent, self-driven work ethic.
• Can be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Estonia for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

Additional Information

All ESR positions offer:

• An employment contract for 36 months according to MSCA conditions.
• The salary granted by the EU is EUR 3400 (Brut) + EUR 600 mobility + country coefficient factor if applicable. This allowance may be increased depending on the hosting organisation.
• In accordance with the European Commission’s allowances for Doctoral Networks, a training allowance covers training activities, conference attendance, etc.

How to apply

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

• A motivation letter outlining your suitability for the post, with reference to relevant qualifications or experience.
• Detailed curriculum vitae, including qualifications and experience, publications (if applicable).
• Copies of bachelor's and master's diplomas and academic transcripts (diploma supplements).
• One letter of recommendation to give as broad as possible overview of your academic and professional achievements.
• In addition, contact details of one academic or professional reference (name, position, e-mail, telephone and indicating the relationship with the applicant).
• Proof of English language skills (see details in the application system).

The application and all supporting documents have to be submitted HERE. 

Interviews with selected candidates will be held as soon as possible after the closing date.

For questions, please contact:

Prof. Heikki Junninen, heikki.junninen@ut.ee

Closing date: 15 March 2023