Research Fellow in Development of the Highly Instrumented Reactor for Atmospheric Chemistry

Do you have an established background in Atmospheric Chemistry?

 Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow available in the Atmospheric and Planetary Chemistry group within the School of Chemistry. The position is funded by the EU as part of the EUROCHAMP2020 Infrastructure Development Project, a consortium of more than 18 partners and 15 different types of simulation chambers. EUROCHAMP2020 provides funds to develop the chambers and analysis methods and to carry out intercomparisons. The Highly Instrumented Reactor for Atmospheric Chemistry (HIRAC) is the University of Leeds' simulation chamber.

A major focus of our work in HIRAC is the direct detection of radical species (OH, HO2) using both laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS). One of our main contributions to EUROCHAMP2020 is the direct detection of RO2; we have made significant progress with CH3O2 detection, and part of the role of this post-doc position will be to extend our detection capabilities to higher RO2 species. Another major role is integrating a proton-transfer mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) into HIRAC including carrying out an intercomparison with other PTR in EUROCHAMP and developing analysis software. Additionally you will help with other commitments to EUROCHAMP and look to present your work at EUROCHAMP meetings and national and international conferences. There will be opportunities to collaborate with other staff at Leeds and other members of the EUROCHAMP consortium.

You will have (or have submitted your thesis before taking up the role) a PhD in Physical Chemistry or a related discipline, together with experience in the use of lasers and/or mass spectrometers for spectroscopy or kinetics measurements. Experience in the application of chemical models would be beneficial.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: Paul Seakins, Professor of Reaction Kinetics  Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6568; email: P.W.Seakins@leeds.ac.uk