Research Assistant or Associate in Satellite-based Contrail Assessment

About the role:

Applications are invited for a fully funded fixed-term at the Research Assistant/Associate (PostDoc) level in satellite-based contrail assessment. You will use satellite observations to quantify the impacts of fuel choice on aircraft condensation trail (contrail) impacts. The post will involve collaboration between Imperial College, Rolls-Royce, Heathrow Airport, and AirBP in progressing towards a world-first trial to empirically establish the effect of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on contrails.

You will use machine learning-based techniques to identify contrails in satellite imagery, attribute them to individual aircraft, and thereby understand which aircraft, flying on which routes, at which times of year, are most likely to produce observable contrails.

What you would be doing:

You will help to lead Imperial’s role in the aforementioned research project, including coordinating between project teams (internal and external) and research and development tasks necessary to ensure project success. This will include:

• Preparation of satellite observation/imaging data
• Contrail identification, tracking, and attribution in satellite data
• Flight planning support
• Post-trial analysis

What we are looking for:

Research Associate: Hold a PhD in aerospace engineering or physics or a closely related discipline*, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Research Assistant: A first/masters degree (or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.

• Machine learning/atmospheric science/satellite data processing experience preferred but not required
• Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently

*Candidates with a PhD in other disciplines may be eligible if they can demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and deep expertise in the development of complex computational models.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to advance our understanding of, and ability to mitigate, climate change
• The opportunity to interact with experts from Imperial in both aerospace engineering and atmospheric science
• Access to a state-of-the-art, high performance computing cluster
• You would work as part of a dynamic team working to enable truly sustainable aviation at the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

We are hoping that the successful candidate will start her/his contract immediately, or as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be supervised in the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London but will also interact with colleagues in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Physics. If you require any further details on the role please contact Dr. Sebastian Eastham [s.eastham@imperial.ac.uk].                                                     

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

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