PhD in Quantifying the role of Chlorine in Methane Removal in the Atmosphere (1.0 FTE)

Emissions of greenhouse gasses are the main culprit of the ongoing anthropogenic climate change. In addition to reducing emissions, removal of greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere is another option of climate change mitigation. As PhD candidate you will be working with an international team of European researchers to investigate the possibility of increasing the removal of methane (CH4) by chlorine atoms from the atmosphere. Chlorine removes methane from the atmosphere naturally, but it is unclear how large its contribution is and where or when it happens.

You will investigate this by analysing air samples that will be collected at numerous stations around the globe. You will become an expert in isotope ratio mass spectrometry and will carry out isotope measurements on atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) which is the product of CH4 oxidation. The isotopic composition of CO is particularly sensitive to the CH4 + Cl reaction. After studying this reaction in the natural environment, you will investigate whether it is a viable option to artificially increase the reaction in order to remove additional CH­4 from the atmosphere.

You have completed a master’s degree in physics, chemistry or another area related to environmental sciences with a strong quantitative mathematical background. Preferably you already have good background knowledge on atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas cycles. Next to this you find yourself in one or multiple of the following characteristics:

• You like working hands-on with scientific instruments in a laboratory.
• At the same time you have interest and programming skills for data processing and analysis, ideally using an advanced programming language such as Python.
• You are interested in environmental processes and climate change and want your work to contribute to realizing greenhouse gas reductions.
• You are a good team player and can find your position in a larger consortium, but are also self-motivated to take over increasing levels of responsibility for your project.
• You have an open mind, enthusiasm, curiosity and creative thinking.

Candidates who are promoted in this specific research area are invited to apply as well, for them a postdoc position will be considered. 

• A position for 4 years;
• A full-time gross salary ranging from € 2541,- to €3247,- in scale P;
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.

For more information, please visit working at the Faculty of Science. 

At the Faculty of Science, there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects. Find out more about us.

Utrecht University is a friendly and ambitious university at the heart of an ancient city. We love to welcome new scientists to our city – a thriving cultural hub that is consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest cities. We are renowned for our innovative interdisciplinary research and our emphasis on inspirational research and excellent education. We are equally well-known for our informal atmosphere and the can-do mentality of our people. This lively and inspiring academic environment attracts professors, researchers and PhD candidates from all over the globe, making both the University and the Faculty of Science a vibrant international and wonderfully diverse community.

The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU) offers a unique research and teaching environment, in which the fundamentals of the climate system are studied. Research is organized in five themes: Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry, Coastal and Shelf Sea Dynamics, Ice and Climate and Oceans and Climate. In 2017, IMAU research quality and impact were qualified as 'world leading' by an international visitation committee. Currently, IMAU employs 15 faculty members and 10 support staff and some 20 postdocs and 20 PhD students.