Skip to main content

Enhancing the Understanding of the Dust Direct Radiative Effect

Dust-DN doctoral network – DC7

University of Evora and the University of Reading

Supervisors: Maria João Costa and Claire Ryder

The Dust-DN doctoral network

Atmospheric dust or mineral dust (or simply “dust”) is a major atmospheric aerosol, and it gives us one of the most visible and detectable aspects of transboundary transport of atmospheric constituents, impacting visibility, radiation and climate. What is less evident are its quantitative impacts on health, transportation and energy production. Atmospheric dust is not fully understood at the fundamental level (microphysical properties, dust emissions, source regions) and hence atmospheric models fail to fully reproduce its impacts. Moreover, dust observations using ground-based instrumentation, remote sensing and aircraft are abundant, but not evenly distributed; in particular they are missing near the major dust sources. Moreover, the techniques are still under development, with each giving a different picture of a phenomenon with multiple facets. For example, it is now known that super-coarse and giant dust particles have gone undetected for a long time due to limitations in the measurement and modelling tools that have been in use for decades, and this misdetection alters the understanding and the prediction of a number of processes. Finally, dust affects the environment, society, and several economic sectors, with impacts on the transportation and energy sectors for example, the nature and cost of which is not fully understood and quantified. Several methodologies exist to study mineral dust, each giving its own differing picture of a complex phenomenon: numerical modelling, remote sensing, in-situ observations, laboratory research.

We establish the Dust Doctoral Network (Dust-DN), in order to address gaps in the understanding of dust and its impacts by linking the different disciplines and methods. The aim is to train a team of early career scientists into overcoming compartmentalism in this field of science, and into developing a multi-disciplinary approach to mineral dust. Dust-DN will set up a network of academic and non-academic partners working on different aspects of dust research, and will coordinate a program of doctoral projects that will enhance knowledge across a broad range of fundamental, but linked, components of the atmospheric dust life cycle and its impacts. The projects will span across the disciplines of atmospheric sciences (dust processes, modelling, and remote sensing), geology (dust emissions and source regions), as well as the impacts on society and economic sectors. The knowledge will be shared among participating institutions and the wider public and scientific community. Common activities will be held, so as to enhance the network among the partner institutions and among the doctoral researchers, delivering an ambitious advanced training program for capacity building.

The University of Évora and the University of Reading

The University of Évora (UÉ) in Portugal is a public institution organized into five schools: Fine Arts, Sciences and Technology, Social Sciences, Health and Human Development, and Nursing. Within UÉ, the Institute for Advanced Studies and Research (IIFA) serves as a crucial unit, merging teaching with research to foster interdisciplinary knowledge and support existing R&D units. IIFA coordinates 35 PhD programs and two Erasmus Mundus Master programs, ensuring an integrated advanced training environment and offering a wide range of soft skill training. IIFA also oversees 19 research centres, funded by the PT Foundation for Science and Technology. One of these R&D units is the Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), a multidisciplinary team focusing on Earth System Science and Energy. This team is transitioning to the newly established Centre for Sci-Tech Research in Earth System and Energy (CREATE). CREATE emphasizes integrated research on critical Earth System and Energy challenges, along with technological innovation. It comprises 121 members, including 48 integrated PhD researchers and 39 PhD students.

The Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading is a thriving community of over 200 academics and research scientists and more than 150 students. The University of Reading is ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) our research environment was classified as world leading. We ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, while 100% of our research impact has been classed as world leading or internationally excellent. The status of our dynamic and productive research environment is reflected in the long-standing presence of staff from the UK Met Office, and major elements of the NERC funded National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). We work closely with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the headquarters of which are moving onto the University of Reading campus.

The University of Reading has a dedicated Doctoral and Researcher College which supports PhD students throughout their studies and coordinates local training. The Department of Meteorology hosts several doctoral training programmes, including SCENARIO (Science of the Environment), AFESP (Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction) delivered in partnership with the ECMWF, UK Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and Mathematics for Future Climate, resulting in a large cohort of around 50 PhD students with extensive training and career development activities.

The selected candidate will be working at the University of Évora, within the ICT/CREATE Atmospheric Physics group, and at the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading. There are several observational platforms for atmospheric research managed by the ICT/CREATE group, in southern Portugal. Besides atmospheric sciences, the research unit covers various earth science areas, from internal and applied geophysics, to geology, energy, water and environment. The Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading is leading the way in understanding and tackling the world’s environmental challenges in weather, climate and Earth observation. Our pioneering research informs how governments, organisations, industries and communities respond to complex issues such as climate change, ozone depletion, atmospheric pollution and space weather.

The doctoral project

Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC7) – “Enhancing the Understanding of the Dust Direct Radiative Effect”

A double degree between the University of Evora (Portugal) and the University of Reading (UK). The student will be enrolled in the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology PhD programme in “Atmosphere, Oceans and Climate” as well as the PhD programme in ‘Earth and Space Sciences’ at the University of Evora.

Through the interaction of mineral dust particles with both shortwave and longwave radiation, dust causes a radiative effect on climate. This can be both positive (a warming effect) or negative (cooling effect) at the top-of-atmosphere, and can heat or cool the atmospheric column, depending on the dust (and surface) properties. The presence and quantity of super-coarse and giant dust particles can also influence this effect. Recent work shows that super-coarse dust particles cause a net climate warming, and that radiative closure cannot be achieved without their inclusion. This project will focus on the radiative balance over the Sahara using data from field campaigns, in order to explore these sensitivities and the extent to which super-coarse and giant dust influences warming/cooling of the planet. 

In year 1, the student will be based at the University of Reading, UK, and will analyse measurements already collected by a research aircraft over the Sahara. This will comprise airborne spectral shortwave and longwave measurements, which they will combine with lidar observations, in-situ size distributions (including super-coarse and giant particles) and shape assumptions for different case studies involving dust, generating optical properties. They will develop skills in running radiative transfer models. 

In years 2-3, the student will be based at the University of Evora, Portugal. They will format the observational data for application in the radiative transfer model(s), in order to confront the radiative observations with model simulations. They will test assumptions needed for radiative closure in shortwave and longwave by confronting radiative transfer computations with observations, including dust vertical distribution, size distribution, refractive index and shape, as well as generating atmospheric heating rates.

This is a double degree between the two universities. The work will be supervised by Prof. Maria João Costa (UÉ) and Dr. Claire Ryder (UoR), with additional support from Dr Vanda Salgueiro (UÉ) will also contribute to the supervision. The student will undertake a 2 week secondment in year 1 to the Cyprus Institute, to take advantage of Dr Marenco’s airborne lidar expertise.

Details

The recruited PhD candidate will be enrolled in the PhD programmes on “Earth and Space Sciences” of University of Evora and “Atmosphere, Oceans and Climate” of the University of Reading. It is included in the “Dust Doctoral Network”, which involves highly prestigious research groups on this scientific topic, and which will ensure that the cohort of doctoral candidates is integrated in a dynamic and enthusiastic scientific environment. The doctoral candidate will learn about the consortium partners’ unique facilities and research topics/methods, and will exploit these opportunities for their research. All Dust-DN doctoral candidates will work side-by-side with lead scientists at world-leading institutes, and they will:

  • Take responsibility for the scientific project that they are involved in, and the instruments and/or software required.
  • Collect scientific knowledge through experiments and/or numerical modelling, and data analysis.
  • Develop tailor-made data processing methods.
  • Advance the fields of research in atmospheric dust and/or the related measurement and/or modelling techniques.
  • Participate in the Dust Doctoral Network training and networking activities.
  • Publish research results in scientific peer reviewed journals, and present at conferences and workshops.

Qualification Requirements

  • The candidates are required to have, or expect to complete soon, an excellent undergraduate or master’s degree (or equivalent) in a physical or mathematical science subject (or other natural science discipline) and must not have any kind of PhD degree.
  • Fluency in written and oral English is compulsory. If English is not a first language, in the second step of the application procedure applicants must demonstrate a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 5.5 in any individual section.
  • Motivation for research on atmospheric dust.
  • Experience or aptitude to develop scientific software (computer-based programming)
  • Demonstrated ability in being a strong team player.
  • Strong international mobility for the purpose of research, training, and dissemination is mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional appreciated skills and competencies are:

  • Experience in applying broad scientific knowledge to a range of specific problems or scenarios.
  • Previous research experience and/or previous interest in the atmospheric sciences, meteorology or closely related discipline will be appreciated.
  • Experience with written or oral scientific communications.
  • Publication record.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Qualifications:  The candidate must hold a title satisfying the admission requirements for a doctoral candidate at the institution where they will be enrolled (see qualification requirements). A doctoral degree in any field is not compatible with these positions.
  • Mobility: Transnational mobility is an essential requirement of MSCA Doctoral Networks. At the time of recruitment, the candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Applicants must be aware that seconding periods are planned for this position as described above. International applicants are welcomed. 

Rights and Responsibilities of Researchers Participating in Marie Skłodwska-Curie Actions
The European Charter for Researchers is a set of general principles and requirements which specify the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of both researchers and the employers and/or funders of researchers. The aim of the Charter is to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers or funders is conducive to successful performance in generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge and technological development and to the career development of the researchers.

It is obligatory for applicants to read and understand the detailed information regarding the rights and responsibilities of researchers engaged in an MSCA Doctoral Network.

The European Charter for researchers can be accessed at: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/european-charter

Employment Contract and Financial Aid

The selected candidate will be appointed for 36-months under full-time employment contract: during year 1 they will employed by the University of Reading and during years 2-3 by the University of Evora. A competitive financial aid package will be offered to the successful candidate with a gross annual salary of £42,691 while at Reading, and with a gross annual salary of €35,246 while in Portugal (living allowance and mobility allowance).

It is understood that failure to successfully continue the PhD program will result in immediate cancellation of the employment contract and the financial support provided.

During year 1, University of Reading Home fees will be covered by the grant and the University of Reading will cover the difference between the Home and International fees. https://www.reading.ac.uk/essentials/Money_matters/Tuition-fees/Fee-Tables. The grant can also be used to cover University of Evora student fees as per https://www.uevora.pt/en/study/UE-Students/academic-services-and-procedures/Tuition-Fees for years 2 and 3. 

Start date

A start date will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Ideally start dates would be between 3 February 2025 and June 2025, with a potential to extend the start date to early October 2025 for an exceptional candidate. The position is full-time (35 hours/week), funded for a period of 36 months.

Application and selection

Application advisory: A pre-screening of the candidates will be made by the Dust-DN consortium as a first step prior to the formal recruitment process. Candidates should submit a CV and motivation letter on the Dust-DN website, together with their university transcripts and the name and contact information of two referees, and indicating up to 3 preferred doctoral projects (in order of preference) amongst the ones advertised within the whole Dust-DN (which includes the one in the present advert). It is very important that the motivation letter should recall each of the qualification requirements and preferred qualifications indicated in this advert, clearly justifying how the candidate is able to meet each of them, and providing evidence. After short-listing, the most suitable candidates will be called for an interview.

Formal recruitment phase: The most highly-ranked applicants interviewed during the application advisory phase will be re-directed for the formal application.

With the submission of the documents, applicants agree that the documents will be shared among all supervisors of the Dust-DN consortium and members of the respective shortlisting and interviewing panels.

Dust-DN respects and supports the compatibility of professional and private life and promotes development opportunities for its cohort of doctoral researchers. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment.

Deadlines:

Applications for the advisory phase must be submitted by 31 August 2024.

Deadline extended to 30 September 2024

Formal applications must be submitted by 30 November 2024.

We reserve the possibility to extend the deadline(s).

Contact Information
For further information, please contact Dr Maria João Costa (mjcosta@uevora.pt) and/or Dr Claire Ryder (c.l.ryder@reading.ac.uk).