PhD (M/F): Investigation of new particle formation over the remote ocean: from the ocean surface to the marine free troposphere

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Aerosol particles are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. They are of climate importance because they interfere with solar and terrestrial radiation, and they also play a role in cloud formation. Over the ocean, particles can be emitted into the atmosphere as sea spray, or result from the formation of new nanometric particles from gaseous precursors of marine origin. The current lack of understanding of these sources directly impacts the representation of clouds in climate models; this is particularly the case over the Southern Ocean, with a significant impact on atmospheric dynamics and the radiative balance around the Antarctic continent.
During past oceanographic expeditions in the Southern Hemisphere's oceans, large enclosures simulating the ocean-atmosphere interface were installed on board to study new particle formation (Chamba et al. 2023). The identified precursors, derived from marine biological activity, have enabled the formulation of new hypotheses regarding the mechanisms specific to this unique environment. To further explore these hypotheses, new observations will be conducted during the ASOLAS oceanographic campaign (June–August 2028), which is part of the international research program Antarctica InSync (https://www.antarctica-insync.org/). The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to participate in the acquisition of these measurements aboard the German research vessel R/V Polarstern, whose primary sampling area is planned to be in the Weddell Sea. He or she will then be involved in the analysis and interpretation of these observations.
In addition to identifying the chemical species of interest for nucleation in the marine surface layer and quantifying their fluxes, the second part of this thesis will focus on their fate at higher altitudes (the marine free troposphere), where clouds form. To this end, the PhD student will contribute to the use of measurements that will soon be collected on Réunion Island with an orginal experimental setup, and which form the core of the ERC HAVEN project.
Job requirements: This is a multidisciplinary thesis in the fields of marine biogeochemistry and atmospheric sciences. The candidate must hold a Master's or Engineering degree (Bac +5) in one of these fields. Previous experience with data analysis and knowledge of scientific programming (e.g. Python, R, Matlab) is expected. A more specific knowledge of the instrumentation used to characterise aerosols and their precursors (mass spectrometry in particular) will be a particular advantage for this recruitment. The candidate will also be expected to have the human qualities to work as part of a team.

Your Work Environment

The successful student will join the Ecole Doctorale des Sciences Fondamentales and will graduate from the Université Clermont Auvergne at the end of his/her contract. During the first part of his/her thesis, the student will be hosted at the Laboratoire de Météorologie Physique (LaMP), which is recognized for its expertise in atmospheric sciences. The successful candidate will work more specifically in the Physical, Chemical and Biological Processes team, under the supervision of Clémence Rose and Karine Sellegri, and will have a chance to exchange and collaborate with other members of the laboratory. From a practical point of view, the LaMP is located in Aubière, on the near periphery of Clermont-Ferrand, renowned as a city of sport and culture close to nature. This medium-sized town offers a particularly pleasant living environment for its many students. The laboratory is accessible by public transport (with the possibility of partial reimbursement of 75% of transport tickets by the CNRS) and also has parking lots. As a CNRS employee, the successful candidate will also benefit from preferential rates for meals on campus, as well as a contribution to his/her health insurance costs.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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

The research professions