PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, focus on mixed-phase cloud processes

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: the Department of Meteorology .

Project description

Clouds regulate how much sunlight reaches the Earth’s surface and how much thermal radiation escapes to space, which ultimately influences how hot or cold the planet is. How much each cloud cools or warms the Earth depends in part on its composition. Is it made up of liquid particles, ice particles, or both? How densely spaced and how large are these particles? The answers to these questions lie partially in the dynamics occurring within the cloud. Even clouds that look calm from the ground may generate motions strong enough to shake an airplane. These motions can form new cloud particles and combine or shatter existing ones. However, these motions are difficult to represent completely in computer models of the atmosphere and in laboratory experiments, and we have yet to understand their full impact.

The PhD student will build this understanding using over 800 hours of wind and cloud particle measurements that have been recorded by specialized research aircraft during field campaigns run by government agencies in the US and Europe. Data have been collected over the midwestern US and the Caribbean, off the northwestern coast of Africa, between Australia and Antarctica, and in the vicinity of Svalbard. Quality-controlled versions of all data are already available, so analysis can begin at the project start.The PhD student will develop a detailed understanding of aircraft instrumentation through literature review and apply that expertise to the analysis of measurements from dozens of different aircraft-mounted instruments. All analysis will be done in Python.

The scientific scope initially spans micrometer-scale cloud particles to the dynamical processes that affect clouds, including turbulent eddies and kilometer-scale atmospheric waves. Initial science questions are well defined and focus on identifying statistical relationships between cloud particle properties and cloud-scale dynamics, and investigating how these vary across cloud types and geographic regions.

After the initial stage, the project is more open-ended. The PhD student may choose to focus on the same micrometer–kilometer scales, or to make connections between these scales and the regional or global climate. They may also choose to branch into atmospheric modelling and/or to use machine learning to model observed relationships between cloud dynamics and cloud particles.

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 comprise 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 are familiarity 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. Prior Python experience is desirable but not required. 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

Starting date is flexible, as per agreement, but preferably not before 1 February 2027. 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 Rachel Atlas, rachel.atlas@misu.su.se .

For more information about the PhD programme, please contact the study director, Associate 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 .

Application

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 .