PDRA in satellite remote sounding and analysis of volcanic cloud

PDRA in satellite remote sounding and analysis of volcanic cloud

Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in satellite remote sounding and analysis of volcanic clouds

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in satellite remote sounding and analysis of volcanic clouds.

The post is available initially for a fixed-term duration of 2 years.

Volcanic clouds are principally composed of gases and particles of ash, ice and sulphuric acid and are strong natural drivers of climate variability. Immediately after an eruption volcanic clouds are important to monitor as they can form a hazard to aircraft.  Spectral remote sensing in the infrared offers one of the few techniques that can establish volcanic particle composition and provide the data needed to quantify an eruption’s radiative impact.

The mixture of particle types within a volcanic cloud does not allow traditional approaches of independently retrieving gas or particle concentrations. The aim of this project is to characterise the ash and sulphuric acid in volcanic clouds (> 48 hours) from high resolution infrared instruments such as the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instruments and the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS).  This work will be validated against other satellites (e.g. IASI, MLS, TROPOMI, Calipso, and ACE), in situ and ground based measurements.

The eruption of Hunga-Tonga in January 2022 generated a volcanic cloud of enhanced concentrations of water vapour and sulphur dioxide combined with particles of ash, ice and sulphuric acid.  The new retrieval method will be used to study the evolution of the clouds from the Hunga-Tonga eruption with the aim of trying to better understand the rapid development of sulphuric acid and the distribution of ash in the stratosphere.

Applicants should possess, or be very close to obtaining a doctorate in physics or a related field. Previous experience in radiative transfer and the use of satellite measurements will be an advantage.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate experience in coding preferably using Python or Fortran.

The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach.

Please direct enquiries about the role to r.grainger@physics.ox.ac.uk

Only applications received before midday 2 April 2024 can be considered. You will be required to upload a brief statement of research interests, CV and details of two referees as part of your online application.

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