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EPFL, l’École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, est l’un des campus universitaires les plus dynamiques d’Europe et s’inscrit dans le top 20 mondial de nombreux classements académiques. L’EPFL compte plus de 6'500 membres du personnel qui font vivre les trois missions principales de l’École : l’éducation, la recherche et l’innovation. Le campus de l’EPFL offre un cadre de travail exceptionnel au cœur d’une communauté de plus de 18'500 personnes, dont près de 14'000 étudiant·e·s et 4'000 chercheur·euse·s issu·e·s de plus de 120 nationalités différentes.

PhD in Antarctic vertical aerosol and cloud measurements

Mission

The Extreme Environments Research Laboratory (EERL) is looking for a PhD student for our Antarctica InSync activities. Within Antarctica InSync we will study aerosol-cloud interactions over coastal Antarctica and the Southern Ocean sea ice with instruments placed on a tethered balloon and at ground.

 

Your mission will be to perform and analyze vertically resolved measurements of aerosols, trace gases and meteorological variables using EERL’s helikite facility and to conduct ground based aerosol chemical observations using the new nano-mechanical membrane infrared spectroscopy method (NEMS-FTIR) that we developed.

 

The EERL focuses on understanding natural and anthropogenic atmospheric processes, as well as exchange processes between the atmosphere and cryosphere, ocean and land that have climate impact and are impacted by climate. Within Antarctica InSync, the EERL will deploy instruments on the icebreaker Polarstern that will drift in the Weddell Sea and at Neumayer station as part of the DOMINO project.  

Main tasks and responsibilities

  • Perform field observations with a small team in Antarctica using the helikite facility
  • Enhance the helikite's measurement capabilities by adding new instrumentation for chemical analyses and cloud observations with the support of a technician
  • Analyze samples of aerosols and trace gases in laboratory, for e.g., chemical composition and ice nucleating particles
  • Data analysis of observations, numerical model output and remote sensing data
  • Tight collaboration with the project partners and participation in working meetings
  • Teaching assistantship
  • Part-time supervision of MSc students

Profile

  • A master degree or (equivalent) in atmospheric, climate, or environment science, engineering, meteorology, physics or similar
  • Interest in atmospheric studies and polar regions
  • Desire to do field work
  • Desire to do laboratory work
  • Interested in improving the tethered balloon payload with support of EERL's technician
  • Capable of conducting scientific research independently
  • Basic knowledge of scientific programming
  • Data handling skills
  • Good interpersonal skills, team player
  • Good knowlege of English (written and spoken)

We offer

  • A dynamic, interdisciplinary and young research group
  • A vibrant, internationally visible and rising academic institution in alpine and polar environments research
  • A great working atmosphere and ample opportunities for professional and personal development with access to many continuing education courses
  • 4 years to complete your PhD with a competitive remuneration
  • A 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to the Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE). Only applicants admitted to EDCE can be considered for this position. 


Your application should contain: A motivation Letter, Your detailed CV, Contact information, The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

For the application, you must submit your documents in two places (Please check this page for additional information on admission) .:

1) Via the EPFL recruitment platform: Please submit a motivation letter with your interests and qualifications, a CV and publication list (if applicable), your bachelor and master curriculum with grades, and contacts of three references.

2) Please ensure to submit as well an application to the Doctoral Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE). Only applicants admitted to EDCE can be considered for this position. The submission deadline for EDCE is September 15, 2026. 

Please note, PhD positions are awarded initially for one year. After one year of successful probation, the initial contract can be extended up to a total of four years.

 

Application deadline: 15/09/2026

Contract Start Date: 01/10/2026

Activity Rate Min: 100.00

Activity Rate Max: 100.00

Contract Type: CDD

Duration:

Reference: 2375

 

For more information, please contact: julia.schmale@epfl.ch








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