The postdoc will work for the GALES project (4-year project). This project is a Science-Technology project aiming to develop science and promote its utilization a.o. by companies.

In this project, we will use the CH4 measurements of the highly innovative new satellite instrument TROPOMI (launch October 2017) which has unprecedented spatial resolution and sensitivity combined with daily global coverage. This makes the instrument ideally suited for the detection of localized CH4 point sources on global scale. The research is aimed at detection and quantification of these localized sources, in particular those related to the fossil fuel industry. The knowledge from bottom-up emission inventories will be used in this process and will be further improved. The ultimate aim is to support industry and governments in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the commitments to international climate agreements.

Different companies are connected to the project to further exploit the results and steer the project towards (quick) utilization. All results obtained in the project will be published in peer reviewed journals.

The research team consists of scientists from SRON, VU and TNO. The latter are experts in bottom-up emission inventories. The research team is further complemented by a User Committee consisting a.o. of various companies and other highly interested end-users and experts that will advise and support the project with their expertise for the best use of the data.

Tasks

The project will be executed by two postdocs and the work between these two postdocs will be roughly split into satellite data analysis and emission quantification, and inventory and update of bottom-up emissions (this vacancy), analysis of differences with satellite-based emission estimates including reconciliation of the two approaches (both positions). Also, assessment of CH4 mitigation potential is aimed for within the project based on the findings from the project on CH4 emissions (this vacancy). Clearly, the two postdocs will work closely together, supported by the rest of the team and the User Committee.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a PhD and experience in developing (CH4) bottom-up emission inventories.

Employment of these full-time position as a Scientist C at SRON-Utrecht is by NWO (The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) and will be for a period of 3 years with the option for an extension of 1 year. The salary will be in accordance with the salary scales of NWO with a maximum of € 4,154.00 gross per month on a fulltime basis (highly depending on education and relevant experience).

NWO has good secondary employment conditions such as:

• An end of year bonus of 8.33% of the gross yearly salary;
• 42 days of vacation leave a year on full-time basis;
• An excellent pension scheme;
• Options for (additional) personal development;
• Excellent facilities for parental leave;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross yearly salary.

SRON

SRON's mission is to bring about breakthroughs in international space research. Therefore, the institute develops pioneering technology and advanced space instruments, and uses them to pursue fundamental astrophysical research, Earth science and exoplanetary research. As national expertise institute SRON gives counsel to the Dutch government and coordinates national contributions to international space missions. SRON stimulates the implementation of space science in our society.

 Our Earth Science Group has a vacancy for a

 Postdoc (f/m)

vac.nr. 1322

http://www.sron.nl