[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD-student position, Fire Emissions from Space, Wageningen University & Research
Christine Wiedinmyer
christinew at ucar.edu
Wed Oct 1 14:46:38 MDT 2025
https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/phd-programme/graduate-schools/www.wur.nlwimek/about-wimek/vacancies/phd-vacancies/show/phd-student-fire-emissions-from-space.htm
Your job
Wildfires are reshaping air quality, ecosystems, and climate — but their
emissions and atmospheric impacts remain one of the largest uncertainties
in Earth system science. We are offering an exciting opportunity to join a
leading consortium at the cutting edge of satellite remote sensing,
high-resolution plume modelling (MicroHH), and atmospheric chemistry
transport models (LOTOS-EUROS, ECHAM-HAM). The focus will be on better
characterizing fire emissions, smoke plume injection heights, and in-plume
pollutant transformations with new Dutch satellite instrumentation,
including TROPOMI, EarthCare, and SPEXone.
*In this role, you will:*
- Derive aerosol and trace gas emission factors from satellite fire
observations (TROPOMI, SPEXone, EarthCARE, VIIRS).
- Improve understanding of smoke injection heights and how they
influence regional air quality and climate.
- Investigate chemical and aerosol transformations inside fire plumes.
- Explore the link between vegetation dynamics and fire emissions.
You will work at the intersection of satellite observations, modelling, and
theory, and your results will directly feed into next-generation global
fire emission inventories (GFED v5.2), with strong impact across Europe and
beyond.
*You will work here*
The research is embedded within the NWO NFLAMES project
<http://www.nwo.nl/en/news/almost-18-million-awarded-for-controlling-wildfires>,
a Dutch consortium led by dr. Folkert Boersma. You will be supervised by
Dr. Folkert Boersma, Dr. Chiel van Heerwaarden and Prof. Guido van der Werf
within the chair Meteorology and Air Quality
<https://www.wur.nl/en/research-results/chair-groups/environmental-sciences/meteorology-and-air-quality-group.htm>,
which is led by Prof. dr. Maarten Krol .
Your qualities
You are/have:
- A Master’s degree in atmospheric science, physics, environmental
sciences, remote sensing, or a related field.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with interest in linking
satellite data and atmospheric models.
- Experience (or strong willingness to learn) in programming and data
analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB, R, Fortran, or similar).
- Curiosity and motivation to work on fire emissions, air quality, and
climate questions.
- Ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team
across modelling and observational groups.
- Good communication skills in English (oral and written), with
enthusiasm for scientific publishing and presenting.
- A proactive, creative, and collaborative attitude — eager to
contribute to a large national research project.
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at
C1 level
<https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale>.
Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised
Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be
found here
<https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/phd-programme/practical-information/entry-requirements.htm>
.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment
<https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Tailor-made-conditions-of-employment.htm>. A
few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- Partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow
for the best possible work-life balance;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports
facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully
funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to
your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- ,- per month rising to €
3.881,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour
Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)
<https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/collective-labour-agreement-of-dutch-universities>
(scale
P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a
temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of
the project if you perform well.
Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth
and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent
training programmes.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the
Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20
consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university
<https://www.wur.nl/en/newsarticle/keuzegids-wur-best-university-for-the-20th-consecutive-year.htm>"
in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.
*Coming from abroad*
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for
life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the
world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a
lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of
advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa
application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can
assist you with any additional advice and information
<https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Moving-to-the-Netherlands.htm> about for
example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally,
certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax
exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the
Netherlands.
Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Folkert Boersma,
Associate Professor, via email: folkert.boersma at wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jessa Rozema, Corporate
Recruiter, via recruitment.support at wur.nl.
*Ready to apply?*
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only
applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply until O*ctober 20, 2025*.
*Additional information form*
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to
have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit
for it. You can access the form using the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/rR9z9yvRqx
Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move
forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information
provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application
process.
*Welcome, safe, and valued*
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and
inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative
solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe,
and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience.
Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution
adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is ‘To explore the
potential of nature to improve the quality of life’.
We pursue this mission through a synergistic approach between Wageningen
University and Wageningen Research Foundation (applied research). Our
research focuses on questions within the domains of food, living
environment, and society. With approximately 30 locations, 7,700 staff
members, 2,500 PhD candidates, and over 13,000 students, Wageningen
University & Research is among the world’s leading knowledge institutions
in its domain. The integral approach to challenges and the collaboration
across various disciplines form the core of the unique Wageningen approach.
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