Job Description
Can we reduce the climate impacts of aircraft? As well as carbon dioxide, aircraft engines emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx). You will investigate how important these NOx emissions might be for climate and whether the climate effects are different in the northern and southern hemispheres. Do engine manufacturers need to reduce these NOx emissions?
The climate impact of aircraft is aggravated by the emissions of NOx. In the upper troposphere these emissions form ozone which is an important greenhouse gas, but they also increase the destruction of methane. The overall effect of aircraft NOx on climate is very uncertain. The ozone production is largest in the northern hemisphere, but the methane destruction is more even. Hence the net effect is likely to be different in the different hemispheres.
To work as part of a team within the NERC CRANE (Climate Response to Aviation NOx Emissions) project. This is a component of the NERC/Department for Transport programme – “Jet zero: aviation’s non-CO2 impacts on the climate”.
The main role is to set up and run simulations using the UK Earth system model (UKESM1.1), which includes representations of tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry, and to analyse the outputs from these. This will involve changing the emissions of NOx from aviation in the model to quantify how these changes affect the composition of the atmosphere (methane, ozone, stratospheric water vapour and aerosols), the radiative forcing and the full climate response on different hemispheres. This will be original research carried forward to publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, and presented at national and international scientific meetings.
The job holder will interact with project partners, attend project meetings, and contribute to the departmental research environment (e.g., seminars and group meetings).
You will have : compulsory
- PhD or equivalent in physical sciences or applied mathematics, or be close to attaining one
- Knowledge of quantitative atmospheric or climate sciences
- Experience in running climate or other atmospheric models.
- Scientific analysis skills
Closing date: 20 October 2024
Interviews date - tbc
Contact Name: Bill Collins
Contact Job Title: Professor of Climate Processes
Contact Email address w.collins@reading.ac.uk
By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
