Two postdoc positions: Probing chemistry at atmospheric interfaces: aerosol research and surface spectroscopy

The research groups of Merete Bilde and Tobias Weidner within the Center for Chemistry of Clouds (C3) at Aarhus University seek to hire two postdocs for a joint project. As a postdoc within this project, you will study the role of aerosol surface chemistry for the formation of clouds with implications for climate and ecosystems research. For this unique approach, C3 seeks to hire one postdoc with expertise in aerosol research and one postdoc with expertise in surface spectroscopy to work in close collaboration.

The starting date is flexible. A date of January 1st 2025 or soon thereafter is preferred. The initial duration of each employment will be 24 months.

Job description/research project/research area

Aerosol particles play a central role in the formation of clouds. Particles are emitted from a variety of sources or formed in the atmosphere via photochemical reactions. During their atmospheric lifetime aerosol particles undergo “ageing”; chemical reactions and processes that change particle properties and their ability to act as nuclei for cloud formation. 

The two postdocs will work in close collaboration to correlate findings on aerosol properties with the molecular structure of the surface of aerosols and water droplets under different conditions. Eventually, the aim will be to understand how particles and water molecules interact to form clouds. The experiments will be complemented with off-line chemical analysis and molecular modelling with collaborating groups in C3.

Postdoc 1: The first postdoctoral researcher will focus on the generation and characterization of aerosol particles. Key responsibilities include:

• Generate aerosol particles under controlled laboratory conditions that mimic various atmospheric environments. This includes experiments in the AURA atmospheric simulation chamber.
• Develop sampling and interface system to study ultrafast laser spectroscopy studies of the generated aerosols.
• Characterize aerosols using advanced instrumentation to understand the processes of particle "ageing" and their impact on cloud formation.
• Conduct experiments to investigate the role of different environmental factors, such as oxidant conditions, humidity, and temperature, on aerosol properties and the molecular structure of water at particle and droplet surfaces.

• Assist in development of sampling and interface system to study aerosols using ultrafast laser spectroscopy.
• Employing ultrafast laser spectroscopy techniques, such as sum frequency scattering (SFS) spectroscopy and 2D infrared spectroscopy, to investigate the molecular structure and dynamics at water droplet interfaces.
• Examining how environmental conditions, including varying levels of humidity, temperature, and oxidants, influence the molecular structure of water at aerosol and droplet surfaces.

The project will be carried out within the newly established Center of Excellence: Center for Chemistry of Clouds (C3) in a dynamic and ambitious research environment using excellent experimental facilities for physical and atmospheric chemistry.

Postdocs in our team have the opportunity for collaboration with other students and postdocs within C3 as well as international partners, providing the opportunity for international travel within the research project.

Your profile

Postdoc 1 focusing on aerosol formation and cloud forming potential: we are looking for a candidate with a strong background in aerosol instrumentation, and expertise on aerosol properties and preferentially expertise in one or more of the following areas: atmospheric photochemical processes, hygroscopicity and cloud forming potential.

Postdoc 2 focusing on spectroscopy: Outside of having a strong motivation to work on interfaces, postdoctoral fellows should have expertise in setting up and performing laser spectroscopies to be considered for the position.

The place of work is Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University and related departments.

Further information about the positions may be obtained from Associate Professor Tobias Weidner: weidnerchem.au.dk or Professor Merete Bilde: bildechem.au.dk

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/