[ES_JOBS_NET] 2 Postdocs, Methane emissions from Oil & Gas - TROPOMI, 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 vacancies for

Two Postdocs
Vacancy number 1639

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 algorithms for
methane. One of our new projects using the TROPOMI methane data exists in the framework of the
Methane Science Studies of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Oil and Gas Initiative. These
studies support the aim of the CCAC to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector
worldwide in close cooperation with UNEP, and with industry participating in the coalition. The
TROPOMI methane measurements provide unprecedented new methane data to detect and
quantify emissions from the oil and gas sector worldwide as is already shown with a number of high
profile scientific papers (Varon et al., 2019; Pandey et al., 2019; de Gouw et al, 2020; Schneising et
al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2020; https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/climate/methane-leak-
satellite.html) This project will further expand on that work. The project will be executed in close
collaboration with the TROPOMI methane team at SRON, and with scientists from the Environmental
Defense Fund and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Tasks
The main task of the postdocs is to analyze local and regional methane enhancements in the
TROPOMI data, as well as the further quantification and interpretation of the corresponding
emissions. The focus will be on methane emissions from the oil & gas sector. The results will be
published in scientific peer reviewed journals.

Requirements
For this exciting project we are looking for ambitious, highly motivated and result driven scientists
with a PhD degree in atmospheric sciences/(astro)physics or a similar degree, with experience in
the interpretation of atmospheric (e.g. satellite, aircraft, …) data using transport models. Good
computer programming skills are also expected. Experience with flux inversions is considered an
asset. Good knowledge of the English language is essential and the candidate should be capable to
work both independently and in a team.

Employment conditions
Employment of this full-time position as a Scientist C at SRON-Utrecht is by NWO-I (The
Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes) and will be for a period of 2 years with the
possibility of an extension. The salary will be in accordance with the salary scales of NWO-I with a
maximum of €4.452,- gross per month on a full-time basis (highly depending on education and
relevant experience).

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

Information and application
More information about SRON can be found at www.sron.nl.
For further information about the position, please contact prof. dr. Ilse Aben (i.aben at sron.nl) or dr.
Bram Maasakkers (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.
Please state the vacancy number "SRON 1639" in the subject of your mail. Applications will be
accepted until 15 October 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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