Atmospheric Scientist—Postdoctoral

 

Are you an ambitious, highly motivated and result driven scientist with extensive experience, good skills in data analytics and experience in the interpretation of atmospheric (satellite) data ? Then you are the person we are looking for.

You and SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research: SRON is the co-Principal Investigator Institute for TROPOMI, a Dutch instrument realised together with ESA and launched October 2017. SRON’s responsibilities include the development and maintenance of the operational algorithms for methane and carbon monoxide. We have various research projects focusing on methane emissions using the TROPOMI satellite data, also in conjunction with high spatial resolution satellites like GHGSat, Sentinel-2, PRISMA etc. You will analyse TROPOMI – and other satellite – methane data to study methane super emitters around the world.

Your position and team: You will be part of our team of scientists working on the interpretation of TROPOMI – and other – satellite data in the Earth Science Group (ESG) of SRON. The ESG consists of approximately 25 scientists (permanent, postdocs, PhD students) that work on the interpretation of satellite data, data processing, as well as the definition of new instrumentation. Our team develops methods to detect and identify sources and quantify emissions of various trace gases using satellite data in conjunction with atmospheric modelling. Our research aims to address topics with societal relevance.

Your project: The focus of this project is on methane super emitters from various sectors such as the oil and gas industry, coal mines and landfills. You will work in the team that uses TROPOMI to detect methane super emitters globally. These detections are then used to guide high spatial resolution satellite instruments (e.g. GHGSat, Sentinel-2, PRISMA etc) to zoom-in with targeted observations or data-analysis to identify the sources responsible. Once sources are identified this information is then communicated to relevant parties such as the United Nations International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) in order to mitigate the emissions. Part of the high spatial resolution data analysis is also done by the team at SRON and part of it is in collaboration with external partners. The work will also include quantification and monitoring of the emissions, as well as performing case studies to improve our research methodologies and our understanding of super emitters. You will present your work to various stakeholders as well as at scientific conferences, and publish your work in scientific peer reviewed journals.