Are you passionate about advancing our understanding of methane's role in climate change? Join us as a postdoctoral researcher to conduct cutting-edge research on stable and clumped methane isotopes as part of the EU-funded Investigating Methane for Climate Action (IM4CA) project.

Your job
Methane emissions from various sources to the atmosphere carry unique isotopic signatures that reflect their origins. This composition can be used to quantify the relative contributions of methane from different source categories in the atmosphere. Traditionally isotope measurements were only possible for molecules with one heavy isotope, but in the past years measurements of methane molecule with two heavy isotopes (“clumped isotopes”) have been developed. As part of the IM4CA project, you will carry out measurements on the single and multiple substituted isotopic composition of methane. Special focus will be on achieving a better quantification of the clumped isotope signatures from important source categories.

You as postdoctoral researcher will become an expert in isotope ratio mass spectrometry and carry out a variety of activities to obtain new data on the clumped isotopic composition of CH4 as part of a European research consortium.

1. You will collect, measure, evaluate and interpret samples from different source sectors.
2. You will participate in smaller and larger campaigns to characterize the isotopic composition of CH4 in different regions of Europe.
3. You will collaborate with project partners on the interpretation of historical methane isotope time series.

You have completed a PhD degree in physics, chemistry or another area related to environmental sciences with a strong quantitative mathematical background and practical technical skills. You already have good background knowledge on atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas cycles and experience with isotope measurements. In addition, you recognise yourself in one or multiple of the following characteristics:

• You enjoy hands-on work with scientific instruments in a lab.
• You are interested in joining diverse teams for measurement campaigns.
• You are skilled in data processing and analysis, preferably with Python.
• You are passionate about environmental processes, climate change, and contributing to greenhouse gas reduction.
• You are a team player who is self-motivated and can take on more responsibility in a larger consortium.

We offer:

• a position for three years;
• a fulltime working week and a gross monthly salary between €3,345 and €5,278 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our 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 organised 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 candidates.

If you have any questions that you’d like us to answer, please contact Thomas Röckmann at t.roeckmann@uu.nl.

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.