[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD vacancy, CO, NO2 and CO2 emissions using TROPOMI satellite, SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

[Ilse Aben]

SRON's mission is to bring about breakthroughs in international space research. Therefore, the institute develops pioneering technology and advanced space instruments, and uses them to pursue fundamental astrophysical, Earth science, and exoplanetary research. As national expertise institute SRON gives counsel to the Dutch government and coordinates national contributions to international space missions. SRON stimulates the implementation of space science in our society.

Our Earth Science Group has a vacancy for a


PhD student
Vacancy number SRON 1645

Project Outline
In October 2017 ESA’s Sentinel-5 Precursor mission was launched with the TROPOMI instrument as its single payload. TROPOMI is a collaboration between the Netherlands and ESA. SRON is the co-Principal Investigator Institute and its responsibilities include the operational algorithm for carbon monoxide (CO). TROPOMI combines daily global coverage with high spatial resolution (7x5.5 km2) which makes it ideally suited to study localized emission sources. In this project we will study the emissions of CO related to industry and pollution in cities. In addition to CO, TROPOMI also measures nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Both CO and NO2 are co-emitted with anthropogenic CO2, but much easier to measure from space. In support of the Paris Climate Agreement global monitoring of CO2 emissions using earth observation data is expected to become increasingly important. The second aim in this project is to combine TROPOMI CO and NO2 measurements to estimate CO2 emissions. CO2 observations from the OCO-3 instrument on-board the International Space Station will be used for that purpose as well.

This project will be a close collaboration between SRON and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). TNO is an independent research organization in the Netherlands that focuses on applied science for industry and governments. TNO’s department Climate, Air, and Sustainability (CAS) has outstanding knowledge on the quantification of anthropogenic emissions and increasingly uses satellite data for verification and improvement of its emissions estimates.

Tasks
The main tasks of the PhD student are to analyze the TROPOMI CO data and quantify urban and industrial emissions; combine CO and NO2 TROPOMI data to estimate CO2 emissions; and verify CO2 emissions estimates with OCO-3 CO2 data. The results will be published in scientific peer reviewed journals.

Requirements
For this exciting project we are looking for an ambitious and highly motivated PhD student with the following qualifications:

·                     M.Sc. degree in (applied) physics, (applied) mathematics, or Earth Sciences (or similar degree)

·                     Skilled in computer programming and data analytics

·                     Fluent in English

·                     Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Employment conditions
Employment of this full-time position is by NWO-I (the Institutes organization of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) and will be for a period of 18 months. This will be extended to  4 years when your performance evaluation after 9 months is satisfactory. The salary will be in accordance with the salary scales of NWO-I, starting at €2.407,- in the first year and rising to €3.085,-  in the fourth year of employment.

NWO-I has good secondary employment conditions such as:
•           An end of year bonus of 8,33% of the gross yearly salary;
•           A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary;
•           42 days of vacation leave a year on full-time basis;
•           An excellent pension scheme;
•           Options for (additional) personal development;
•           Excellent facilities for parental leave.

The PhD-student will be based for ~50% of her/his time at SRON in Utrecht/Leiden, and for ~50% at TNO in Utrecht.

Information and application
More information about SRON can be found at www.sron.nl<http://www.sron.nl>.
For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. Ilse Aben (i.aben at sron.nl<mailto:i.aben at sron.nl>), dr. Hugo Denier van der Gon (hugo.deniervandergon at tno.nl<mailto:hugo.deniervandergon at tno.nl>) or dr. Bram Maasakkers (j.d.maasakkers at sron.nl<mailto:j.d.maasakkers at sron.nl>).
If you wish to apply you can send a motivation letter with CV and the name(s) and address(es) of reference(s) (incl. phone and e‑mail) via mail to jobs at sron.nl<mailto:jobs at sron.nl>.
Please state the vacancy number "SRON 1645" in the subject of your mail. Applications will be accepted until 11 November 2020.

Other
SRON Utrecht will move to Leiden in 2021.
In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to female applicants.
No commercial propositions please.
Online screening may be part of the selection procedure.

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