Job details

Recruitment result
Place of work

Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland TEAM 17: Environmental Chemistry

Funding institution

National Science Centre

Project description

Project title, type and project number

Laboratory and field studies on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) aging at suburban sites, OPUS no. 2021/41/B/ST10/02748, 18/2023

Project leader

prof. Rafał Włodzimierz Szmigielski

Description

Atmospheric aerosol, known for its chemical complexity, serious negative impact on human health and large, but

uncertain, effects on the climate, represents a substantial fraction of tropospheric air pollution. Global and regional data reveal that most submicron aerosol particles are secondary in nature (SOA), i.e., form through chemical processes, adding up to 90% to aerosol masses over continental regions.

While the early gas-phase aerosol formation, has been thoroughly investigated during last few decades, further oxidation of resultant products regarded as aging processes, and their environmental and health effects are still the scientific terra incognita. During the last few years, there has been a growing awareness that atmospheric waters (i.e., clouds, rain, fog, mist, etc.) play a pivotal role in SOA aging. Estimates of global cloud water SOA formation and aging over rural and suburban areas show 20−30 Tg per year, whereas the estimated total global SOA production is on the order of 50−380 Tg. However, detailed mechanisms and kinetics of these processes (both photochemical and dark) fall into an almost untouched field of research, and thus their accurate representation in models hampers the management of air pollution of rural and suburban regions.

The main objective of the project is to deliver solid scientific data for discussion on the significant role of atmospheric waters in the aging mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol in rural and suburban regions. Fostering the research on the aqueous aging of monoterpene-derived SOA we will try to deliver novel arguments on aerosol aging in the troposphere. We intend to simulate the in-cloud SOA aging processes in a laboratory framework under OH and SO4 radical-based regimes, either relevant to the atmosphere over forested suburban regions, and confront the results with ambient aerosol and precipitation samples.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

Responsibilities

1. Sample preparation

2. Measurements with different spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques

3. Data analysis

4. Reporting

Offer

Position in the project

Student

Job type

Scholarship

Salary

1500 PLN/month

Position starts on

15.05.2023

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

6 months, with a possible extension

We offer

  1. Position with 100% focus on research
  2. Full technical, administrative, and organizational support.

Career development prospects at IPC PAS

Career development prospects at IChF:

  1. The successful candidate will be part of an Environmental Chemistry Group in IChF.
  2. Opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and gain experience in environmental, analytical and organic chemistry research project.
  3. Opportunity to work in a dynamic team of experienced chemists and engineers.
Requirements

Scientific discipline

Chemistry

Scientific profile of a candidate

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Requirements

Requirements for the candidate – the candidate:

  1. full-time or part-time second-cycle studies at universities in the territory of Poland (see competition documentation of the National Science Center (NCS) for the OPUS 21) in chemical sciences or related fields;
  2. has basic knowledge in analytical and environmental chemistry and basic experience at work in the analytical laboratory;
  3. has basic knowledge in preparation and analysis of ambient aerosol samples;
  4. has the ability to prepare PowerPoint presentations, communicate with Team Members, and present results;
  5. has English language skills at a communicative level.

Key assessment criteria

The Recruitment Commission will take into account the following criteria:

a) candidate’s CV  (max 50 points),

b) experience at work in the analytical laboratory (max 40 points),

c) English language skills (10 points).

The commission evaluates applications on a point scale (max 100 points).

Required documents

1. Curriculum vitae, including:

  • at least one opinion of the candidate, issued by an independent researcher;
  • correspondence address and / or e-mail address and telephone number of the candidate,

2. a cover letter not exceeding 3,500 characters (1 A4 page) containing concise information on scientific / professional interests.

3. scans of University BSc degree diploma,

4. the candidate's declaration that he/she has become acquainted with the General Rules Governing Competitions for Research Posts at IChF in Warsaw

The incomplete applications will be not considered.

Recruitment procedure

The position will be awarded in accordance with the NCN regulations: https://ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2019/uchwala25_2019-zal1.pdf and in accordance with the Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipc-procedures.pdf.

How to Apply: Send your application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;

IMPORTANT! email subject: “Recruitment no. 18/2023

We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.

Only candidates with a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the position. A position will be offered to the person who obtains the highest number of points. The Recruitment Committee may not recommend any candidate for the position if no candidate would get at least 70 points.

The results of the competition are made public.

Candidates who have been issued a negative opinion by the Recruitment Committee or candidates not selected for employment have the right to appeal against the results of the evaluation. The appeal shall be lodged with the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appropriate information. The decision of the Director of the Institute shall be final.

If the top candidate does not sign the contract due to resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.

Additional information

More details about the project: 520416-pl.pdf (ncn.gov.pl)

More information about the IPC PAS: https://ichf.edu.pl/en

For additional job details please contact the Leader of this project: ralf@ichf.edu.pl

Deadlines

Application deadline

4.05.2023 15:00

Deadline for the settlement of the competition

8.05.2023

Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.

Date of announcement: 21.04.2023

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