Postdoctoral position in analytical chemistry for the evaluation of the oxidative potential of aerosols

The Department of "Atmospheric Sciences and Environmental Engineering" (SAGE) of the Institut Mines-Télécom Lille Douai, France has ongoing research activities centered on atmospheric chemistry, air quality and the impacts of human activities on atmospheric composition. It has currently a staff of about 55 people including 15 full-time faculty members. Research projects aim at a better understanding of the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation, transport and aging/transformation of gaseous and particulate pollutants in the outdoor or indoor atmosphere.

Context and project description:

In the frame of the CLIMIBIO projec, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Environmental Engineering (SAGE) has ongoing research activities focused on the impacts of climate change on atmospheric composition and air quality.. The position focuses on the characterization of the oxidative potential (OP) and the chemical analysis of oxidative organic species present in atmospheric aerosols, particularly in secondary organic aerosols (SOA) of the north of France. The applicant will: ­ Carry on a bibliographic study on online acellular OP measurements, select a technique for the online measurement of the OP of aerosols; ­ Perform a bibliographic study on the analysis of oxidative organic species in aerosols, select a suitable technique for the measurement of oxidative organic species; ­ Build up an automatic online system for OP measurement; ­ Develop the measurement of some oxidative organic species in aerosols based on the analytical techniques available; ­ Test the online OP system during a field campaign; ­ Analyze the acquired data and publish them in a peer-reviewed journal. The first part of the project will be dedicated to a bibliographic research and a definition of the general specification of the online OP analytical instrument to assemble (UV/vis/Fluorescence). When the automatic online system is completed, a field campaign will be performed to validate the instrument. The last months will be used to develop in our laboratory, the analyses of specific oxidative organic species in airborne particles.

Keywords:

Oxidative potential, atmospheric particles, organic species

Candidate profile:

We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher, holding a Ph.D. degree in analytical chemistry, with experience in OP measurements and/or organic matter speciation (ASE, UPLC, HPLC). He/she must have good writing and oral skills in English language.

Laboratory:

SAGE, IMT Lille Douai, Site de Douai : 941 rue Charles Bourseul, CS 10838 – F-59508 Douai Cedex.

Academic supervision:

• Dr. Laurent ALLEMAN
• Pr. Véronique RIFFAULT
• Dr. Esperanza PERDRIX

Salary:

2184 € net monthly salary

Postdoctoral location, duration and start date:

This 12-month postdoctoral position is available starting October 2017 at the department SAGE in Douai, France

Job application:

Applicants are invited to send their Curriculum Vitae, motivation letter, list of publications and 2 recommendation letters to Laurent Alleman