PhD Scholarship: LIFE Emissions ModElling and FoRecasting of Air in IreLanD (LIFE EMERALD) 1812 views

The School of Chemistry and Environmental Research Institute at University College Cork (UCC) has a PhD position to work on a project. The project involves air quality monitoring, modelling and forecasting in Ireland. This multi-partner project, called LIFE EMERALD (Emissions ModElling and FoRecasting of Air in IreLanD), is led by the EPA Ireland Ambient Air Quality Unit. Candidate should be an enthusiastic, motivated person with a high level of initiative, capable of working independently and within a team. The candidate should have fluent English and excellent communication, organization, planning and interpersonal skills.

Duties and responsibilities:

• The PhD candidate will conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision of Dr Stig Hellebust, Prof John Wenger and Dr Marguerite Nyhan.
• Gather new observational data, add monitoring locations, design and implement monitoring campaigns in the field.
• Collect historic air quality data from existing sources and previous research projects.
• Analyse, visualise and report data in model-useable formats.
• Evaluate model predictions.
• Evaluation of monitoring networks, assessment of spatial representativeness, gap analyses.
• Report data to partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Applicant must hold minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, or a similar discipline.
• Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment, including the use of R, Python, Julia, MATLAB or similar tools for data analysis and data visualisation.
• Basic understanding of statistics, optimization and machine learning.
• A full driving licence is essential.
• Enthusiasm and an awareness of atmospheric chemistry and air quality issues in society.
• Some knowledge of atmospheric processes (pollutants, main sources, basic meteorological processes).
• Basic knowledge of Geographical Information Systems would be useful, but not essential.
• A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency

How to apply:

Application to be sent via the email to Dr. Stig Hellebust (s.hellebust@ucc.ie) as a single PDF file:

• A one-page cover letter outlining any relevant experience and your reasons for wanting to participate in the project (quote “EMERALD PhD Scholarship” on the subject line).
• Curriculum Vitae including education history, courses, awards and skills. Also, if appropriate, please include details of any research experience, publications and conference presentations.