Skip to main content

Identification of dust properties from different sources using sun-photometry and their effects on spectral solar irradiance

Dust-DN doctoral network – DC15

PMODWRC Davos/ΕΤΗ Ζurich, Switzerland

Supervisors: Stelios Kazadzis and Martin Wild

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 Physics and Meteorology Obs. Davos, World Radiation Center (PMODWRC)

PMODWRC is a research institute in Davos, Switzerland that is designated from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to host the reference instruments for Solar radiation and aerosol optical depth measurements (AOD) worldwide. The World Radiation Center group  leads projects related to the Metrology of aerosol optical properties, satellite validation, aerosol cloud and radiation interactions and networking activities. It provides the WMO scale of AOD traceability to the ACTRIS-RI/Center for aerosol remote sensing. It leads the Harmonia COST Action of aerosol Sun-photometer networking and it hosts the world aerosol optical depth calibration center (WORCC). WMO-defined World Calibration Center (and holding the reference instrumentation) for total solar, IR and UV radiation, and AOD. Hosts facilities for metrological calibration and characterization of solar instruments, calibrating more than 200 instruments per year also hosts the Global Atm. Watch PFR AOD network.

The selected candidate will be affiliated to the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) D-USYS, Institute for Atmosphere and Climate, Prof. Dr. Martin Wild. ETH Zurich is a public research university in Zürich, Switzerland. Founded by the Swiss federal government in 1854, with the stated mission to educate engineers and scientists; the school focuses primarily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, although its 16 departments span a variety of disciplines and subjects. Doctoral studies are carried out in individual research groups, combining original research with specialised doctorate courses and teaching activities.With 4.5K doctoral students out of a total of over 25K students, ETH Zurich is one of the universities in Europe which focuses most intensively on research. Doctorates make a significant, fundamental contribution to that research work. They are based on research projects that are carried out independently, with the support of a professor. All doctoral students at ETH Zurich are employed as scientific assistants.

The doctoral project

Doctoral Candidate 15 (DC15) – “Identification of dust properties from different sources using sun-photometry and their effects on spectral solar irradiance”.

Enrolled in the ETH Zurich PhD programme of D-USYS, Institute of Atmosphere and Climate, in collaboration with PMODWRC.

Spectral measurements of solar irradiance will be exploited to provide information on aerosol microphysical properties for different dust sources (Sahara, Middle East, Central China). Total-column properties, vertical profiles, aerosol inversion models (GRASP) and other sources of dust mineralogy will provide additional information. Existing measurements (Tenerife, Spain – Saharan dust), Cyprus (Middle East and Saharan) and Mt. Walliguan (Central China) and also measurements to be conducted during the project, will be used. Measurement in other relevant locations, based on available aerosol networks (AERONET) will be also exploited.

Expected potential results: Improved knowledge of dust aerosol optical properties associated to different dust sources, spectral signatures (UV, Visible, IR) of dust effects on solar radiation, Assessment of uncertainties on the global Earth-atmosphere radiative effect, Impacts of solar exposure, e.g. erythemal, vitamin D, DNA damage, photosynthetically active radiation, satellite validation aspects. Dust spatiotemporal changes and effects on spectral solar irradiance.

The project includes 2 up to 6 weeks visits to the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Spain (dust modelling and dust mineralogy training),   GRASP SAS Lille, France (Introduction and hands on experience of the GRASP algorithm for enhanced aerosol optical properties retrievals) and Eratosthenes Center of Excellence, Limassol, Cyprus (participating in field experiments related with aerosol and solar measurements). 

Details

The recruited doctoral candidate will be enrolled in ETHZ PhD programme in collaboration with PMODWRC, and 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 an excellent master’s degree (or equivalent) in a natural sciences, atmospheric physics, physics, mathematics or related field.
  • Proficiency in writing your own software code in a high-level programming environment such as Matlab, Python, or similar.
  • Experience in analysing atmospheric remote sensing data sets and related statistical tools are an asset.
  • PhD language and communication is in English so fluency in written and oral English is required 
  • Motivation for research on solar radiation and atmospheric dust.
  • 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 through courses or Master Thesis in Atmospheric Remote Sensing and/or atmospheric modeling.
  • Previous research experience and/or previous interest in the atmospheric sciences, meteorology or closely related discipline will be appreciated.
  • Experience with written or oral 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 Switzerland 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 under a 36-months full-time employment contract. A competitive financial aid package will be offered to the successful candidate with a gross annual salary of 53,000CHF. In addition, there can be further allowances depending on family status and other needs, as per MSCA relevant provisions.

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.

We offer: An attractive workplace at a world-leading Institute in a beautiful touristic town in the Swiss Alps. You will join an international team of scientists with state of the art expertise in remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols, solar measurements, aerosol and solar modelling, statistical time series analyses, to help answer key questions concerning the aerosol dust properties and their effects on solar radiation and climate.

We respect and support the compatibility of professional and private life and promote individual development opportunities. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment. Please visit our gender equality plan (https://www.pmodwrc.ch/en/institute/gender-equality-plan/) for further information.

Start date

The position’s possible start dates are between 1st of December 2024 and 1st of April 2025  and is a full-time position, 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. Stelios Kazadzis, Project coordinator, (stelios.kazadzis@pmodwrc.ch).

Apply Now