Postdoctoral Research Associate (Aviation/ATI project)

Manchester Metropolitan University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher, for a contract until 31st Jan 2025, to work on the climate impacts of a potential fleet of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The Role:

The project is funded by UKRI under the programme ‘ZEST1 (Zero Emissions for Sustainable Transport)' led by Airbus UK for the Aerospace Technology Institute, and involves a number of academic and industrial partners. Zest1 is primarily scoping the issues surrounding adopting liquid hydrogen as a future alternative fuel for aircraft. Our component of the work is to examine the potential consequences to climate, using a range of modelling tools and approaches. This post will entail modelling of the emissions and impacts, via a number of tools which have already been developed and that will required further development.

The approach will largely be modifications to existing in-house models, to determine: the potential size of a future fleet, and how this plays a role in the larger global aviation fleet; the impacts on atmospheric chemistry through its NOx emissions using a pre-existing global chemistry model, MOZART, and its potential impacts on contrails through an existing radiative transfer code adapted for aviation, SOCRATES. The effects of the global fleet will be integrated through a pre-existing climate response model, LinClim.

The Candidate will have:

• Background in atmospheric/climate science with a relevant PhD
• Numerical modelling skills, including programming (i.e. Software and techniques such as Fortran, Access, IDL, Python ,SQL etc.)
• Sufficient breadth and/or depth of specialist knowledge in atmospheric and climate science (including current practice) to work within established research programmes and write authoritatively in the area.

For further information on the Role and Specifications please see the attached Job Description below. 

To Apply:

Apply by submitting a CV and covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role.

For an informal discussion, please contact Professor David Lee (D.S.Lee@mmu.ac.uk).

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

We promote applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of background, belief or identity, recognising the benefits that a diverse organisation can bring and particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in the University workforce.

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.

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