PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, Aerosols and Convective Clouds

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. For more information about us, please visit Department of Meteorology.

Project description

Interactions between aerosol particles and convective clouds make a potentially important but highly uncertain contribution to the anthropogenic radiative forcing of climate change. This project seeks to better understand the mechanisms of aerosol-cloud interactions by addressing the following question: Can changes in aerosol concentrations substantially invigorate or weaken the updrafts in convective clouds? The PhD student may investigate this question by analyzing observational data, performing numerical model simulations, collecting observations in the field, or a combination of these activities. The mechanistic understanding gained from this work will contribute to the long-term goal of the research group: to assess the historical radiative forcing of climate change from interactions between aerosols and tropical convective clouds. The project is funded by the ERC Starting Grant AC3S: Aerosols, Convection, Clouds, and Climate Sensitivity.

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 fulfilled before admission to the programme.

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 additionally require a minimum of 90 higher education credits in any of the fields of meteorology, oceanography, physics or chemistry; and at least 15 higher education credits in mathematics as well as a degree project of at least 15 higher education credits. At least 60 higher education credits of these courses must be on the second-cycle level. In addition, proficiency in English language, equivalent to English B in Swedish high school, is required. The specific entry requirements may also be fulfilled by a person who has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

General syllabus for doctoral studies in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography.

Selection

The selection between candidates who meet the entry requirements will be made with reference to their ability to benefit from the training. However, the fact that an applicant is deemed able to transfer credits from previous training or professional experience may not alone give the applicant priority over other applicants in the selection process. Admission decisions are made in accordance with current delegation policies.

The selections process takes into account the familiarity and skill of the subject, ability to communicate in spoken and written English, analytical ability, creativity, initiative and independence, and ability to interact in group. The selection is based on the relevance of previous studies, grades of higher education courses (especially those at second-cycle level), quality and scope of degree projects, references, interviews, and supplemented letter of intent.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

Starting date 1 June, 2025, or as 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, 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.

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