Missions

The Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to analyze the impact of particulate air pollution in the Himalayan region and its effect on local meteorology. Particular attention will be paid to the impact on precipitations and the radiative impact of carbonaceous aerosols on the melting of glaciers in the region.

Activités

The Himalayan region possesses the world's largest ice and snow deposits outside the poles and is a vital water source for Asia's major river systems, supplying a rapidly growing population of over two billion people. Climate change has altered the cryosphere and the hydrological cycle. These changes include accelerated glacial retreat, reduced snow cover, permafrost degradation, seasonal variations in topography, and an increase in snow and ice avalanches. Rapid economic development and population growth in India, China, and other neighboring countries have led to significant aerosol emissions into the atmosphere, impacting the energy balance and climate at both global and regional levels.
Black carbon, produced during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels, accounts for nearly 75% of aerosol absorption in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Himalayas. Recently, it has been shown that pre-monsoon forest fires and post-monsoon burning of crop residues contribute significantly to carbon dioxide emissions and their transport to high altitudes. Recent studies show that aerosols warm the lower atmosphere of the Tibetan-Himalayan plateau by approximately 50%. Black carbon (BC) present on snow and ice significantly reduces albedo, thereby increasing solar radiation absorption and melting. BC concentration in snow samples from Himalayan glaciers varies by location. Studies suggest that aerosol deposition may contribute more to Himalayan glacier melt than greenhouse gas emissions.

- The high-resolution regional atmospheric chemistry-transport model CHIMERE will be used to understand the impact of terrain complexity and the spatial variability of emissions and weather conditions on pollutan concentrations;
- The direct effects of aerosols will be analyzed, such as induced radiative forcing and vertical warming rates. An assessment of the impact of aerosol deposition on snow and ice surfaces will be conducted to understand their contribution to albedo reduction and melting;
- Modules such as the SNICAR (Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative) model can be coupled with the CHIMERE model to directly calculate albedo variation and induced radiative forcing at snow and ice surfaces;
- Through sensitivity tests, we will also analyze the indirect effects of aerosols on precipitation regimes induced by aerosol-cloud interactions, and assess and quantify the influence of regional and transboundary aerosol emissions on climate.

As an expert in air quality modeling, the postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Contributing technically, using programming languages, to the development of air quality modeling chains in South Asia with CHIMERE;
- Preparing and running a basic CHIMERE case study for a cascade of domains covering the Himalayan region;
- Performing a sensitivity test and initial coupling with a radiative module to assess ice melt;
- Identifying relevant partners in the region to collect measurement data to assess black carbon deposition fluxes;
- Writing research reports and publications in the field of air quality and radiative impacts, based on the results of their research;
- Presenting the results of their research at conferences;
- Contact scientists from regional and international universities, institutes, and centers of expertise to identify and develop research opportunities related to air quality;
- Establish links with relevant regional and international organizations such as ICIMOD and other institutes or universities in South Asia and Europe.

Compétences

- PhD in a relevant field, such as atmospheric science, meteorology, environmental science, renewable energy, or a related subject;
- Experience working in a multicultural environment;
- Excellent problem-solving and solution-finding skills;
- Proficiency in programming languages (Fortran, Python, etc.) under Linux (bash);
- Good knowledge of air quality models, such as the WRF-chem model, and/or experience with WRF-CHIMERE;
- Solid understanding of the issues and opportunities related to the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region and other mountainous regions;

- Experience communicating with diverse audiences (media, conferences, funders, etc.);
- Excellent project management and coordination skills;

Contexte de travail

The Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology (LMD) is a joint CNRS research unit, hosted at École Polytechnique (Institut Polytechnique de Paris), École Normale Supérieure (PSL University) and Sorbonne University, and is a partner of École des Ponts. Founded in 1968, the LMD studies climate and the environment for Earth and planetary atmospheres. This is an internationally renowned laboratory with approximately 180 staff members, half of whom are permanent employees (researchers, engineers, and administrative personnel). It also includes around forty doctoral students. The laboratory comprises seven scientific teams, support services (administrative team, IT department, and technical department), and two facilities hosted by the Pierre Simon Laplace Institute (IPSL) research federation (the SIRTA observatory and data center), to which the LMD belongs.
The InTro team, within which the postdoctoral researcher will work, studies the physical and chemical properties of the troposphere and its interfaces. This work is part of the modeling and application activities of the CHIMERE model for its various applications in Asia.

Contraintes et risques

-