PhD position in environmental sciences

The Environmental Geosciences Group at the University of Basel invites applications for a PhD position in environmental sciences.

The research will focus on particles responsible for early ice formation in clouds. Most precipitation over continents is associated with the ice phase. Biological ice nucleating particles (INPs) probably dominate initial ice formation at temperatures > -15 °C, but direct evidence is extremely limited because of experimental challenges related to small INP number concentrations. Two novel experiments will address the issue in an innovative way. One experiment includes three campaigns, four weeks each, at the high-altitude research station Jungfraujoch to sample and analyse cloud droplets and snow. The second experiment, including two four-week campaigns in northern Norway, will trace abundance and morphology of INPs from decaying leaf litter through the boundary layer to depositing ice crystals at cloud height.

The ideal candidate is adventurous, creative and curious to study a challenging phenomenon in its natural environment. Applicants must hold an MSc degree in environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, or a related natural science discipline. The project will start preferably in spring 2017 or earlier (funding is secured 3 years and may be extended to a 4th year).

Information on preceding research and access to related publications from our group can be found online:

https://umweltgeo.unibas.ch/forschung/abgeschlossene-projekte/biological-nucleators/

Submission deadline: Jan 31, 2017