Ph.D. student (m, w, div, n.a.) for biomass-burning atmospheric chemistry studies in the Leibniz Science Campus (LSC) ‚Smoke and bio-aerosols: Release, processes, and impacts in a changing climate’

Leipzig, 21.08.2025

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research is a research institute of the Leibniz Association and an internationally renowned institute in the field of aerosol and cloud research. TROPOS’s Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD) is among the leading atmospheric chemistry research groups.

The Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD) is looking for a motivated PhD student to work on a Leibniz Science Campus cluster project where a number of groups in Leipzig collaborate to better understand fires, fire ecology and atmospheric impacts in its cluster 1 in close collaboration and exchange with DBFZ and iDiv.

 

Main Tasks:

  • Perform biomass burning and atmospheric aging experiment at the ACD chamber ACD-C and its Leipzig Biomass Burning Facility (LBBF) 

  • Contribute to the further CAPRAM biomass burning module development

  • Study different fuels and daytime against nighttime emission aging

  • Vary conditions such as RH and NOx level

  • Take part in field campaigns or the LSC 

  • Collaborate with modelling in the LSC work package 2.3 with ACD’s CAPRAM and the modelling groups involved in the LSC

  • Analyze and interpret all data based on the current state of scientific knowledge in the field

  • Present the results at international conferences and publish them in scientific journals

Requirements:

  • Master's degree preferably in chemistry or environmental science. A degree in meteorology or related disciplines might be possible

  • Good command of basic chemistry and preferably atmospheric chemistry

  • High intrinsic motivation, ability to work both independently and as part of a team

  • Interest in research on biomass burning foremost experimentally but also in model development

  • Proven ability to work experimentally

  • Interest in process modelling

  • Experience with data processing software such as IGOR, R, MATLAB, etc. including programming skills would be beneficial

  • Knowledge and experience with atmospheric chamber or field studies, atmospheric chemistry related instrumentation, including online mass spectrometry and offline instrumentation, would be beneficial

  • Good command of English in both written and oral form

  • For any questions, feel free contact Prof. Dr. Hartmut Herrmann (herrmann@tropos.de)

We offer: 

  • The opportunity to work in the Atmospheric Chemistry Department (ACD) of TROPOS, a vibrant international group of colleagues who will support you in further developing your career

  • Fixed-term contract of 3 years at 75% based on the TV-L pay group E13, including the attractive social benefits of the public sector

  • Being a member of the multidisciplinary LSC with many cross-cutting connections

  • An exciting workplace in the lively city of Leipzig with a multifaceted job in an interdisciplinary work environment and a variety of work-life balance offers as well as flexible working hours and daycare facilities

TROPOS and TROPOS ACD value the diversity of its employees and pursue the goals of equal opportunity. The institute aims to increase the proportion of women in research and therefore encourages qualified women to apply. People with severe disabilities have priority in hiring if they have the same aptitude, ability, and professional qualifications.

 

Please send your complete, informative documents in written or electronic form with the keyword: ACD-PhD-LSC by Sunday, September 14st 2025, exclusively electronically to bewerbung[at]tropos.de .

 

By submitting the application documents by e-mail, the applicant agrees to the storage/processing of personal data in accordance with Art. 13 DSGVO for the purpose of selection for this job advertisement. The risks of sending documents electronically are hereby pointed out.