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Chemical composition of atmospheric aerosol particles from Greenland, the Arctic and the Alps
Global warming induces emissions changes in global ecosystems, for example changes to marine algal blooms, emerging terrestrial vegetation, increasing glacial dust or fires. At the same time human activities in the cryosphere cause emissions from traffic, domestic activities and animal herding. All these emissions change the composition of the atmosphere.
As part of this project, you will have the option to analyse aerosol filter samples in the lab, collected during different (ongoing) campaigns, like the GreenFjord project's atmospheric cluster (https://greenfjord-project.ch/). The main task will be to analyse the freshly created data to understand the complex puzzle of atmospheric aerosol sources.
You will use state-of-the art mass spectrometers to shed light into the chemical composition of aerosol particles. This work will be carried out at and with the team of the Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry at PSI, Switzerland.
Keywords: analytical chemistry, data analysis, statistics, mass spectrometry, atmospheric chemistry, aerosols, arctic, alps, cryosphere
The Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry (LAC) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is at the forefront of experimental air quality research (instrument development, in-situ deployments, laboratory experiments and data analysis). LAC conducts projects with regard to general air quality all around the Globe. The core team you will mostly work with focuses on particulate air pollution in the cryosphere (Arctic and Alpine).
The work can involve 4-5 weeks of lab work, where we analyse filter samples with mass spectrometers. For the major part of the project, you will analyse the data in active exchange and support with the research group. Laboratoy work requires in person attendance, however, once we have the data remote work can be increased as the project progresses.
You are also encouraged to attend weekly hybrid seminars at PSI, where topics in aerosol science and environmental science are discussed.
Supervisors: Imad El Haddad, Patrik Winiger, Julian Weng
Thesis Advisor: Prof. Claudia Mohr
Main tasks:
1. Perform laboratory experiments to identify key compounds in atmospheric aerosols and determine their sources and composition
2. Operate different types of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers
3. Analyse data (preferably in either R, Python and or Igor)
4. Write and contribute to high quality peer-reviewed scientific journals and potentially present findings at scientific conferences
Required qualifications are:
1. Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, statistics, environmental sciences, or similar
2. Proficiency in oral and written communication in English.
Desired qualifications are:
1. Experience in big data analysis techniques
3. Interest in atmospheric processes combined with initiative and enthusiasm to conduct research in a multidisciplinary, international team
4. A strong self-interest to work and acquire knowledge outside your traditional area of expertise
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration and we encourage application of students with a diverse range of backgrounds. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture.
Ideal Starting Date: Early/Spring 2025
The Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry (LAC) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is at the forefront of experimental air quality research (instrument development, in-situ deployments, laboratory experiments and data analysis). LAC conducts projects with regard to general air quality all around the Globe. The core team you will mostly work with focuses on particulate air pollution in the cryosphere (Arctic and Alpine). The work can involve 4-5 weeks of lab work, where we analyse filter samples with mass spectrometers. For the major part of the project, you will analyse the data in active exchange and support with the research group. Laboratoy work requires in person attendance, however, once we have the data remote work can be increased as the project progresses. You are also encouraged to attend weekly hybrid seminars at PSI, where topics in aerosol science and environmental science are discussed.
Supervisors: Imad El Haddad, Patrik Winiger, Julian Weng Thesis Advisor: Prof. Claudia Mohr
Main tasks: 1. Perform laboratory experiments to identify key compounds in atmospheric aerosols and determine their sources and composition 2. Operate different types of state-of-the-art mass spectrometers 3. Analyse data (preferably in either R, Python and or Igor) 4. Write and contribute to high quality peer-reviewed scientific journals and potentially present findings at scientific conferences
Required qualifications are: 1. Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, statistics, environmental sciences, or similar 2. Proficiency in oral and written communication in English.
Desired qualifications are: 1. Experience in big data analysis techniques 3. Interest in atmospheric processes combined with initiative and enthusiasm to conduct research in a multidisciplinary, international team 4. A strong self-interest to work and acquire knowledge outside your traditional area of expertise
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration and we encourage application of students with a diverse range of backgrounds. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture.
Ideal Starting Date: Early/Spring 2025
Within the GreenFjord project we work closely together with the biodiversity cluster to understand the biological signature and their origin in the atmosphere, because biological particles are thought to be good ice nucleating particles. Similarly, dust plays an important role, hence we co-investigate characteristics of glacial dust with the land cluster, and the area change of terrestrial dust deposits together with the cryosphere cluster. Emissions from the ocean are a dominant factor for the atmospheric composition in fjord systems and collaboration with the ocean cluster will help us understand the emission dynamics as function of the fjord physical and nutrient dynamics. The human element is also evident and together with the human cluster we will explore visions of the local residents on their future socio-economic development and what that means for atmospheric emissions.
Your work will give us information of the chemical components and sources of aerosols in this large puzzle.
Within the GreenFjord project we work closely together with the biodiversity cluster to understand the biological signature and their origin in the atmosphere, because biological particles are thought to be good ice nucleating particles. Similarly, dust plays an important role, hence we co-investigate characteristics of glacial dust with the land cluster, and the area change of terrestrial dust deposits together with the cryosphere cluster. Emissions from the ocean are a dominant factor for the atmospheric composition in fjord systems and collaboration with the ocean cluster will help us understand the emission dynamics as function of the fjord physical and nutrient dynamics. The human element is also evident and together with the human cluster we will explore visions of the local residents on their future socio-economic development and what that means for atmospheric emissions. Your work will give us information of the chemical components and sources of aerosols in this large puzzle.
