Postdoctoral Research Associate in Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Modelling

Part-Time (14 hours per week, over 2 days).

Fixed-Term until 31 January 2026

The new DEFRA-funded ‘Direct Measurement of Landfill Methane Emissions 2’ project, will test methodologies to improve quantification of methane emissions from landfill sites.  We seek a part-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Greenhouse Gas Research team to work on this and other group projects involving isotopic analysis of methane and compilation of long-term records from global sampling sites. The successful candidate should be able to start the post during November 2024.

The Landfill Emissions project is co-ordinated by the National Physical laboratory (NPL) with partners RHUL, Ricardo and University of Southampton. RHUL hosts the NERC-funded MIGGAS (Mobile Integrated Greenhouse Gas Assessment System), a hybrid vehicle for mobile surveys that will be used widely throughout this project. Two of these instruments are suitable for walkover surveys. Since commencing mobile ground GHG surveys in 2013 the group has been involved in a range of high profile research projects (e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66811312)  and high impact publications.

The post-holder will plan field campaigns, set up the vehicle and manage instruments during surveys. Key responsibilities will be to sample on site for isotopic analysis at RHUL and setting up ethane tracer releases at some sites. Tasks will include the production of survey outputs including spatial mapping of methane concentrations and quantification of fluxes using tracer release and Gaussian plume methods. It is expected that the post-holder will work closely with co-investigators and other project partners, prepare quarterly reports of results and present the project outcomes to DEFRA and other stakeholders.

The post-holder is expected to pursue opportunities arising for ECR within RHUL in support of career development.

You will have a PhD or equivalent qualification in an analytical or mathematical science subject and be computer literate in a wide range of software packages. Skills that will be very useful for the project include field and laboratory measurements of greenhouse gases, isotopic measurement, GIS and statistical analysis, experience in atmospheric modelling techniques, coding, handling large datasets and atmospheric gas measurement will be highly beneficial for this post. You must able to schedule and prioritise your own workload and willing to lead UK field campaigns with the MIGGAS survey vehicle.

We offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Universities Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Access to various work place schemes including Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loans
• Free parking

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles and so some remote working would be possible for this role.

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the university is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact:

Dr. David Lowry on d.lowry@rhul.ac.uk or Dr. Rebecca Fisher on R.E.Fisher@rhul.ac.uk.

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Please quote the reference: 0924-283

Closing Date:  23:59, 9 October 2024  

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Royal Holloway is committed to equality and diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

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