Postdoctoral researcher “Analysis of the Chemistry of Forest Fire Plumes in Chile and Brazil Using Atmospheric Modeling” (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

As part of the ANR ARVOHRES project, the primary objective of this postdoctoral position is to describe the chemical speciation (gases and aerosols) of smoke plumes and their deposition resulting from wildfires in central Chile and in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The interactions between meteorology and wildfires are complex, making it difficult to understand environmental contamination caused by fire residues. This lack of knowledge leads to uncertainty regarding chronic exposure to fire-derived pollutants and their health impacts. The ANR ARVOHRES project, on which this postdoctoral fellowship is based, aims to shed light on the relationships between fires, the environment, health risks, and socioeconomic impacts in central Chile and the southern Brazilian Amazon. In this context, the primary objective of this postdoctoral position is to characterize the chemical composition (gases and aerosols) of smoke plumes and their deposition resulting from wildfires in central Chile and the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. We aim to determine the quantity and chemical composition of deposition fluxes as a function of vegetation type, meteorological conditions, and soil moisture.
Using nested simulation domains with different resolutions, we plan to simulate several months for years that experienced significant wildfires. Various scenarios will be implemented for the simulations, including smoke injection height, ash emission fluxes, vegetation type, and the chemical composition of plumes and post-fire deposits. The simulation results will be used to estimate pollutant accumulation based on local geography. The simulated past fires will be validated using dedicated satellite data (such as MODIS, GOES16, Sentinel 3, and 5P).

Activity

The postdoctoral researcher will use the CHIMERE chemical transport model to simulate the intense wildfires that have occurred over the past decade. More specifically, he or she will be responsible for:
- quantifying occasional and sporadic releases into the atmosphere of chemical species, gases, and particles emitted by wildfires;
- modeling particle transport and deposition;
- compare these simulations with observational data (MODIS, GOES16, Sentinel 3, and 5P): compare them with the optical properties of aerosols to assess their quantity and size, plume transport trajectories, and radiative impact;
- write a scientific paper on the data, methodology, and results related to the above activities.

Your Profil

Skills

- A Ph.D. in atmospheric or climate sciences, with experience in atmospheric modeling, is required.
- Proficiency in Linux, Bash, the scripting environment, and scientific programming (Fortran) is required.
- An aptitude for interdisciplinary work; the ANR ARVOHRES working groups are composed of members from various disciplinary fields (atmospheric sciences, geography, geochemistry, and epidemiology), who are expected to collaborate to meet the research program's objectives.
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently, and ability to report on progress
- Strong personal and professional organizational skills

Your Work Environment

The activity will be overseen by Ms Véronique Michot, the project's scientific coordinator, in collaboration with researchers from UMR LMD and UMR PRODIG. The simulations will be run on the UMR LMD – Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorology – cluster in Palaiseau, on the École Polytechnique campus, over a period of several weeks. Subsequently, the work involving the analysis of the simulations, comparison with other datasets and the drafting of articles will be carried out at UMR PRODIG, on the Université Paris Cité campus in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, in collaboration with the UMR's project engineers.

Constraints and risks

There are no particular constraints or risks.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

between 3 133€ and 4 344€ gross per month

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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