PhD and Post-doc Opportunities

Development of a Greenhouse Gas Ocean-Atmosphere
Flux Sensor with MEMS-based Photoacoustic
Technology

Accurate measurements of the atmosphere-ocean fluxes of trace gases are important to an improved understanding of the cycling of climatically relevant gases. The direct eddy correlation (EC) method, which is considered to be the benchmark for accurate determination of air-sea fluxes of trace gases, relies on high-frequency measurements of the fluctuations of vertical wind velocity and gas concentration, and requires fast response sensors in combination with high sensitivity. These twin requirements have precluded oceanographic use of the EC technique for many species of interest, and direct measurements have been limited mainly to carbon dioxide at relatively high flux levels. The main objective of this proposal is to develop a fast, highly sensitive, gas concentration sensor, and to integrate it with a sonic anemometer, motion sensing, and data acquisition into an EC flux package suitable for operation from buoys and other platforms, such as ships. Our gas sensor is based on infrared (IR) absorption, but utilizes a novel, highly sensitive, photoacoustic detector. We expect that this combination will result in an improvement in sensitivity of several orders of magnitude over the IR absorption sensors that are currently in oceanographic use.

PhD candidates should have a degree in physics, engineering, environmental science, or closely- related discipline, and a strong motivation for research. A fixed stipend of €18,000 per year is available. Tuition fees will be covered by the project, and there is a generous travel grant for the attendance at international meetings. It is anticipated that the PhD candiate will commence in September 2009.

Post-doctoral candidates should have completed a PhD in atmospheric science or oceanography or a related field with proven research record or evidence of high research potential. An annual salary of up to € 47,215 is offered on this project, dependent on the candidate's experience. There is also a pension contribution. It is anticipated that the Post-doctoral candiate will commence in 2010.

Applications (curriculum vitae, academic degrees, references, research statement) should be sent to Dr. Brian Ward (nuig9061@earthworks-jobs.com), National University of Ireland, Galway, School of Physics, University Road, Galway, Ireland.

This project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland under the US-Ireland Partnership Programme with partners at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Queens University Belfast.