Senior Researcher position in Baltic Sea Research with focus on Air-Sea Interactions

The Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre (BSC) at is the focal point for Baltic Sea research at the Stockholm University. Research is performed both within BSC and in collaboration with other departments at the university. The BSC is dedicated to address the significant challenges faced by the Baltic Sea. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the Centre aims to generate valuable knowledge that can be shared with authorities and other stakeholders. The BSC has around 40 employees who actively support and enhance Stockholm University’s marine science. It provides crucial infrastructure, including field stations (the Askö Laboratory), ships (RV/Electra), and marine modelling resources, to facilitate research and education. Moreover, it plays a coordinating role in Stockholm University’s marine science within the framework of Centre for Coastal Ecosystem and Climate Change Research, CoastClim.
More information about us, please visit: Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre.

Project description

Short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) comprise a wide range of compounds that influence Earth's radiative balance on timescales of hours to years. Key examples include methane (CH4), aerosols and reactive gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), each differing markedly in atmospheric lifetime and climatic effect. SLCFs respond rapidly to emission changes, making them central to near-term mitigation efforts. The global role of SLCF is well known, their environmental sources and sinks remain highly variable and uncertain. The coastal ocean, in particular, plays a dynamic role in regulating these fluxes. However, coastal oceans, despite being hotspots of biodiversity, strong chemical gradients, and rapid environmental change, are largely missing from global SLCF assessments.

In the CoastClim framework the BSC has developed recently a Floating Air-Sea Interaction Laboratory – a floating lab for direct flux measurements of sea spray aerosol, Short Lived Climate Forcers and greenhouse gases (in cooperation with Dept. of Environmental Science, Stockholm University). The laboratory will also be used to measure the air-sea exchange of organic pollutants. To strengthen this joint research initiative, we are looking for a senior researcher with a background in oceanography and atmospheric science to, in collaboration with a growing research group at SU, investigate the role and function of the coastal zone in the Baltic Sea ecosystem and related feedbacks to the climate system.

The candidate must have experience in and a strong interest in at least one of the fields below, preferably in combination with a special focus on the coastal zone:

• Linking sea spray dynamics with marine VOC and aerosol dynamics.
• Air-sea exchange of SLCF.
• Air-sea exchange of organic pollutants.

Main responsibilities

The position is with a research group that investigates the environmental factors controlling the turnover of SLCF and organic pollutants in the coastal region of the Baltic Sea. Our work focuses on understanding the coupled physical, chemical, and biological processes that influence emissions, transformations, and fate of key atmospheric constituents at the air–sea interface.

The successful candidate will contribute to a research program that employs a diverse suite of observational and experimental techniques, including eddy covariance flux measurements, aerosol, trace gas and organic pollutant characterization, autonomous sensor systems, high-resolution meteorological observations and seawater biogeochemical sampling. Research activities will be conducted using the Floating Air–Sea Interaction Laboratory, aboard the research vessel RV/Electra, and in controlled mesocosm studies at Stockholm University’s coastal field station at Askö.

Qualification requirements

Researchers are appointed primarily for purposes of research and must hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria

The ideal applicant has a PhD in oceanography, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, contaminant science, or an equivalent discipline. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to have published articles of high quality at a high rate.

Special emphasis is placed on:

• Experience in the analysis of large-scale datasets, including the ability to handle heterogeneous environmental data (e.g., atmospheric observations, oceanographic measurements, sensor data streams).
• Knowledge of air–sea interaction processes, particularly those relevant to SLCF such as aerosols, methane, and other trace gases, but also to organic pollutants.
• Experience with field-based research, ideally involving marine or coastal environments and ship-based platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work with advanced instrumentation, such as atmospheric aerosol/trace-gas analyzers, oceanographic sensors, or autonomous measurement systems.
• Strong quantitative and statistical skills, including programming/scripting for data processing (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB).
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams involving atmospheric scientists, oceanographers, biogeochemists and ecologists.

Other merits:

• Very good ability to communicate in English, both in writing and speaking.
• Marine research experience.
• Experience in applying for and obtaining research grants.
• Experience of project planning, lab work, and working within scientific groups.
• Great importance is attached to personal qualities.

About the employment

The position involves full-time employment. Start date as per agreement.

We offer

With us you get the dynamic interaction between higher education and research that 
makes Stockholm University an exciting and creative environment. You work in an international 
environment and receive favorable conditions. The university is located in the National City Park 
with good connections to the city.

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

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from the BSC Director Dr. Tina Elfwing, phone: +46 70 16 10 335, tina.elfwing@su.se, and from the Scientific Director, Professor Christoph Humborg, phone: +46 73 7078578, christoph.humborg@su.se, at Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre

Application

Apply for the 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.