PhD Student in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, focus on aerosol-cloud-climate interactions

The Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences. MISU offers educational programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels. Our research addresses fundamental questions concerning the dynamics, physics, chemistry and biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and ocean relevant to weather and climate. MISU strives toward a broad representation of research within our scientific domain.

We study questions originating from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere and from the tropics to the poles. In this effort, we use and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. We also develop and lead observational research using remote-sensing and in-situ measurements, including satellite missions and icebreaker expeditions to the Arctic.

The department has around 60 employees and is embedded in a larger research environment, including the Bolin Centre for Climate Research , the Baltic Sea Centre and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre . The department is highly international, with over half of our employees coming from outside Sweden and both Swedish and English are used as working languages. We welcome and value diversity in our working environment.

Read more about us here: Department of Meteorology.

Project description

Interactions between aerosol particles and clouds make a potentially important but highly uncertain contribution to the anthropogenic radiative forcing of climate. This project seeks to better understand the ways in which aerosol pollution changes liquid clouds. The PhD student may investigate this topic by testing a new theoretical framework that predicts that aerosol pollution strengthens the updrafts in shallow convective clouds, causing the clouds to become deeper and more reflective. The student may also investigate trends in Earth’s radiation budget caused by aerosol-cloud interactions over the satellite era. Research tasks may involve performing numerical simulations or analyzing satellite data.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

The specific entry requirements require a minimum of 90 higher education credits in one of the subjects meteorology, oceanography, physics or chemistry, at least 15 higher education credits in mathematics, as well as an independent degree project of at least 15 higher education credits. Furthermore, English language proficiency equivalent to English 6/English Level 2 at upper secondary school is required.

The specific entry requirements may also be met by those who have acquired equivalent knowledge through other means, either in Sweden or abroad.

General syllabus for doctoral studies in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography .

Selection

Selection from among applicants who meet the entry requirements shall be made with regards to their ability to benefit from the programme. That fact alone that an applicant is assessed to be able to receive credits for previous educational or professional/vocational activities to be credited to the educational programme may not give the applicant priority over other applicants in the selection process. Decisions on admission are made in accordance with the applicable delegation regulations.

The assessment criteria for admission to the postgraduate programme in atmospheric sciences and oceanography arefamiliarity with the theory and applications of the subject, subject knowledge relevant to the research project, the ability to express oneself orally and in writing, proficiency in English, analytical ability, creativity, initiative, independence and the ability to work collaboratively. The assessment of the applicant’s ability in these respects are based on the relevance and results of completed higher education courses, the quality and scope of the independent project, references, interviews and a personal statement from the applicant describing their expectations of, and intentions regarding, the programme.

Admission regulations for doctoral studies at Stockholm University .

About the employment

The starting date of the position will be 1 January, 2027 or per agreement.

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information about the project, please contact Assistant Professor Casey Wall, casey.wall@misu.su.se .

For more information about the PhD programme, please contact the study director, Professor Thorsten Mauritsen thorsten.mauritsen@misu.su.se .

For information about the recruitment process and terms of employment, please contact Head of Administration Sara Engström, sara.engstrom@misu.su.se .

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

We kindly ask applicants to refrain from submitting AI generated applications.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .