Postdoc Experimental Study of Ice Formation Process for Contrails NL, 2628 CD

Contrails are aviation sector’s invisible climate threats with large uncertainties. You’ll investigate contrail formation pathways for various particles through lab experiments.

Facing the climate crisis, the aviation industry has developed an ambitious “net-zero” goal to decarbonize. The potential mitigation measures include technolgy advances for low emissions, using alterantive fuels like sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen. However, a large part of the aviation’s climate effects originates from the non-CO2 emissions, e.g., contrail with a large uncertainty still. Amongst all, one important research gap is the contrail formation pathways attributed to different engine exhaust conditions, which is crucial for the further development of contrails hence the resulting climate impact.

In this research, you will design a proper experimetal setup to investigate the ice nucleation pathways related to different emissions characteristics at the engine exhaust. The collected data would be helpful to validate the microphysics models for ice nucleation process, hence clarifying the different nucleation pathways for ice formation. You will collaborate with other researchers inside and outside our research group to stength the research outcome.

• A PHD degree in a relevant subject, such as aerospace engineering, aeronatucial engineering, atmospheric sciences, or (applied) physics.
• Excellent lab-experiences
• Advanced mathematical, analytical skills, and programming skills, e.g., in Python.
• A keen interest in interdisciplinary research.
• An excellent command of English, as you’ll be working in an internationally diverse community and with international partners.
• Ability to learn independently and passion for research
• Team player, open to discussion and constructive criticism
• Previous involvement in scientific research is a plus

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