Fully funded PhD in the role of freezing mode for the ice nucleation activity of mineral dusts in Zürich

The Atmospheric Physics group at ETH Zurich (IAC-ETH) invites applications for a 3 – 3.5-year PhD position funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) project “The role of particle size, organic matter, and freezing mode for ice nucleation on mineral and soil dusts”. The project has a total of 3 PhD positions that will closely collaborate. 

Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) represent a minute fraction of atmospheric aerosol, but they are key actors in cloud processes including precipitation formation, as they initiate the ice phase in clouds. Although mineral dusts are probably the most important and best-established type of atmospheric INPs, there are still major unknowns that preclude a reliable prediction of ice crystals forming on them. Different factors have been identified that influence their freezing temperatures. Apart from the mineral type, these are particle size, interactions with solutes and water, adsorption of organic molecules, and freezing mode. Yet, some of these factors do not seem to matter in general, but only for some mineral types. Therefore, attempts to generalize them to all types of mineral INPs produce conflicting results.

Our group has longstanding experience in the investigation of atmospheric INPs and a history of developing cloud chambers and cold-stage experiments, among them the microfluidic device MINCZ, the drop freezing assay DRINCZ and the continuous flow diffusion chamber HINC. Moreover, a broad range of analytical techniques for aerosol characterization are available in our group and at ETH Zurich.

• Measurement of the IN activity of size size-selected and feldspar particles in HINC in the condensation freezing mode
• Using two HINCs in series via a droplet/ice evaporation/sublimation set up to investigate the effect of pre-activation on ice nucleation during two subsequent cloud-forming cycles
• Collaboration with the two PhD projects listed below to ensure similar sizes and particle types are being measured, to compare across different freezing modes and particle preparation techniques.
• Data analysis, interpretation and writing manuscripts for peer reviewed publication 
• Teaching assistantships and lectures in both core subjects and electives
• PhD candidacy evaluations and assessment 

• MSc (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, engineering, atmospheric/environmental sciences, or a related field
• Knowledge of oral and written English is required
• Knowledge of aerosol measurement techniques and data analysis in Igor, MATLAB, Python or similar software is highly desired, and some knowledge of LabVIEW would be an asset, but not necessary.

We are looking for a highly motivated, committed, and creative person.

• Training in teaching via teaching assistantships
• Support for career development during later stage of PhD via regular assessments and promotion of networking through conferences and project meetings
• Support programmes e.g. mentoring of bachelor and master students
• Culturally and gender diverse team at all levels (students and senior staff) with flexible working hours and home office (where possible) to accommodate diverse team needs
• Excellent funding, infrastructure and working environment with state of the art laboratory facilities and equipment