Job Detail

  
Empa - the place where innovation starts



Empa is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge research for the benefit of industry and the well-being of society.

The Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology has an opening for a

PhD student on ultra-trace-level analytics of halogenated greenhouse gases

Halogenated compounds are extremely potent greenhouse gases and are highly efficient ozone destructors.This PhD project is focused on the analysis of highly potent halogenated greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by coupling gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS). This technique allows identifying traces of unknown chemicals in the atmosphere (non-target search). The project builds on Empa’s long history of first-time detection of atmospheric halogenated trace gases. It will contribute to the creation of a world-wide unique digital air archive for these gases. Furthermore, tall tower measurement campaigns will be performed in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Estonia to quantify Swiss and European greenhouse gas emissions, and to support national inventories under UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.

The PhD study will be carried out in close cooperation with a PhD study on inverse emission modelling, also hosted at Empa. We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented person with passion and skills for experimental and observational research. The successful candidate will be enrolled at ETH Zürich, co-supervised by Prof. R. Zenobi.

Job description, responsibilities and tasks

• Optimization of a gas chromatograph-time of flight-mass spectrometer (GC-TOFMS) for the detection of unknown halogenated greenhouse gases.


• Creation of a measurement-based digital air archive for halogenated greenhouse gases.


• Measurement campaigns at tall tower sites in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Estonia.


• Data analysis and data interpretation in collaboration with a PhD study on inverse modelling.

Required skills

• Master degree in chemistry, physics or environmental science



• Experimental experience in chemical analysis, preferably in gas chromatography and/or TOF-MS




• Commitment to lab work




• Programming skills




• Fluency in English is required; basic oral expression skills in German are desirable




• Willingness to travel and work under field conditions

We are looking forward to your application including a letter of motivation, CV, transcripts of diplomas, a list of publications, and names and addresses of three references.

For further information about the position please contact Dr. Stefan Reimann, stefan.reimann@empa.ch, phone +41 58 765 46 38, and visit our websites www.empa.ch/web/s503/climate-gases and Empa-Video

The position is available from December 2018 and will remain open until filled. Applications received before 31 January 2019 receive full consideration.

Empa, David Heusser, Human Resources, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.

Apply now