Position Announcement
Changing Methane and Carbon Monoxide Global Budgets
Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Geophysique de l'Environement
Grenoble, France
For further information, please go to:
http://mc-opportunities.cordis.lu/show-VAC.cfm?obj_id=8284
or contact:
Andrew Friend, project coordinator
E-mail: friend [at] lsce.saclay.cea.fr
Application Deadline: 1 July 2005
Position Start Date: 1 October 2005
An early-stage researcher is required for research on global constraints
from ice cores. Applicants will be highly motivated individuals with a
relevant degree (physics, chemistry, or earth sciences); have an
excellent academic record; will not yet have a Ph.D. and will have
graduated with a degree that allows pursuit of a Ph.D. programme in home
country less than four years prior to taking up the appointment; and
currently reside outside of France. Candidates should not be of French
citizenship.
The main objective of this project is to bring additional constraints on
the causes of methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO) changes. These two
gases play a major role in atmospheric chemistry, as they largely
control the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. Methane is the second
gas in importance after carbon dioxide, as human-produced greenhouse
gas. Their detailed budget (sources / sinks) remains uncertain,
therefore limiting the ability to predict their future evolution under
changing climate and to propose emission reduction strategies.
Quantifying the relative contribution of biomass burning and CH4
oxidation in their respective budget and better constraining the
evolution of the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere will be major
outputs of the thesis. Different time scales will be considered,
covering the present-day, the last millennium, the mid-Holocene and the
Last Glacial Maximum.
The Ph.D. student will characterize the temporal evolution of
atmospheric mixing and isotopic ratios in these molecules, based on the
analysis of bubbles trapped in natural ice and, depending on sample
availability, of tropospheric air samples collected during field
experiments conducted by Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de
l'Environnement. He/she will use dedicated analytical techniques,
including pre-concentration lines, gas chromatography and stable-isotope
mass spectrometry under continuous flow, coupled with custom-made
systems for gas extraction from natural ice samples. In addition, he/she
will use existing models within the GREENCYCLES consortium to test
budget scenarios and mechanisms against the new data.
The isotopic measurements and interpretation represent a new and
pionneering work, combining analyses and models. Demonstrated skills in
state-of-the-art trace analyses, eventually including isotope mass
spectrometry, will be a bonus. Experience in programming (Fortran or
C++) is necessary for the modelling work, and familiarity with Linux and
Windows operating systems would be useful. S/he will have good
written/spoken communication skills, be flexible and enjoy working as
part of an international team, and have good organizational skills. The
successful candidate will be required to spend periods of time at other
laboratories within the network.
To apply, please send your CV, a letter of intent explaining your
motivations and interests in this position, and the contact details of
2-3 academic referees to:
Andrew Friend, project coordinator
E-mail: friend [at] lsce.saclay.cea.fr
Women and residents of new EU member states are particularly encouraged
to apply.