Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Job description:
Your Job:
Urban aerosol particles pose one of the greatest global risks to human health. A substantial fraction of these particles is secondary – formed through atmospheric reactions of emitted trace gases. While motor vehicle emissions have been reduced through regulation, attention is shifting to understudied sources such as volatile chemical products (VCPs) and cooking emissions, which are now emerging as key precursors to ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in urban areas.
CHANEL aims to identify the key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that lead to SOA and ozone pollution. Using cutting-edge chemical ionization mass spectrometry, the project will perform field measurements across European cities, with a Zeppelin-based airborne platform capturing the “urban breath” of major population centers.
As a research scientist, you will:
* Operate and characterize state-of-the-art mass spectrometers (PTR and NH4+ -CIMS; VOCUS) to measure urban VOCs and their oxidation products
* Lead the deployment and measurements of VOCUS onboard the Zeppelin for airborne field campaigns over European cities
* Perform VOC flux measurements for the 2026 Zeppelin flights and compare urban emissions to other cities as well as results from the JULIAC campaigns.
* Work with the CHARON aerosol inlet and a FUSION CIMS to analyze the particle-phase organic composition onboard the Zeppelin from 2027 onward
* Analyze large multi-dimensional datasets using statistical tools such as positive matrix factorization (PMF) and cluster analysis
* Investigate the influence of different urban emission sectors on atmospheric composition
* Present your results at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
Your Profile:
* A Masters with subsequent PhD degree in chemistry, physics, environmental science, atmospheric science, meteorology, or a related discipline
* Strong experimental skills; strong experience in analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and trace gas measurements using CIMS techniques
* Enthusiasm for laboratory and field work
* Strong background in programming and data analysis (preferably Python)
* Excellent data analysis and publication capabilities
* Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken
* Ability to work independently, as part of a collaborative team, and lead projects to completion
Our Offer:
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change!
* Work at one of Europe’s leading interdisciplinary research centers with a vibrant, international atmosphere
* Join a dynamic institute hosting over ten atmospheric chemistry research groups, offering rich opportunities for collaboration and learning
* Extensive opportunities for personal development and training
* A large, green campus with sports facilities and a supportive research community
* Flexible working hours in a full-time position (39 hours/week) with the option of slightly reduced working hours
* Flexible work arrangements, e.g. partly working from home
* 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
* Support services for international employees through the International Advisory Service
* Exploration and preparation of next career opportunities supported by our Career Center & Postdoc Office ( )
In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: go.fzj.de/benefits
Apply now and join us in unraveling the chemical complexity of urban air in Europe’s most exciting airborne platform.
Learn more about our group here:
We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is for a fixed term of 2 years, with the prospect of longer-term employment. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euro can be found here: go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: go.fzj.de/equality
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany