PhD position - Developing drone-based trace gas observations with...

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH P-VA Personalabrechnung; Jülich; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

International advisory service

Flexible working

Job summary

Forschungszentrum Jülich invites applications for a PhD position focused on developing drone-mounted sensors and drone-based measurements of trace gases. The project integrates field measurements with high-resolution modeling to quantify emissions at facility scale.

You will collaborate across ICE-4 and ICE-3 groups and participate in HITEC graduate school activities. The role offers extensive training, international exposure, and a structured doctoral path.

Qualifications

• Hold an MSc in chemistry, physics, environmental sciences, meteorology, or a related field (German grade 2.0 or better).
• Demonstrate very good skills in experimental work and/or modeling (essential).
• Bring experience with drones, GC systems, or trace gas observations (desirable).
• Possess solid programming skills (e.g., Python) for data analysis (helpful).

Responsibilities

• Develop drone-mounted sensors for sampling and measuring greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances.
• Field-deploy drone technology to quantify facility-scale emissions.
• Estimate emissions using the EURAD-IM chemistry transport model.
• Contribute to EU REIGN-MP project creating resilient monitoring networks.
• Support international governance and a globally coordinated monitoring system.

Skills

Experimental work

Modeling

Drones

GC systems

Trace gas observations

Python

Education

MSc in chemistry, physics, environmental sciences, meteorology or related field

Tools

GC-MS

Drones hardware

Job description

PhD position - Developing drone-based trace gas observations with modelling-based emission verification

The goals that this project is pursuing are highly societally relevant. Applicants can contribute to the identification and quantification of atmospheric sources of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances; while at the same time being at the forefront of technology development through work with drones, ultra-sensitive sampling and detection systems, and local-scale near real-time modelling. The work will be carried out at the Institute for Climate and Energy Systems: Stratosphere (ICE-4) and Troposphere (ICE-3). We study chemical, microphysical and dynamical processes in the atmosphere and the role they play in the climate system and air pollution.

We are seeking a new Ph.D. student in the ''Ultra Trace gases'' group (ICE-4) to establish and perform drone-borne measurements of various trace gases using air sampling techniques in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The modelling activities of the PhD project will be integrated in the "Air Quality and Emission Optimization" group (ICE-3) and aim at expanding the group's modelling system to assess the emission strengths of ozone-depleting substances. The Ph.D. work also offers the opportunity to participate in the Graduate School HITEC (https://www.hitec-graduate-school.de).

Your Job

• Developing drone-mounted sensors for sample collection and measurement of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances
• Deploying drone technology in the field to quantify facility-scale emissions
• Estimating emissions using the high-resolution EURAD-IM chemistry transport model
• Contribute to REIGN-MP, a major EU project building resilient monitoring networks to support the Montreal Protocol
• Strengthen international governance and transition from fragmented monitoring to a globally coordinated system
• Secure critical vulnerabilities by helping establish a European Calibration Centre
• Test lower-cost technologies and integrate them into existing global networks
• Enhance data transparency to improve observation-derived indicators for policy and compliance

Your Profile

• Hold an MSc in chemistry, physics, environmental sciences, meteorology, or a related field (German grade 2.0 or better)
• Demonstrate very good skills in experimental work and/or modeling (essential)
• Bring experience with drones, GC systems, or trace gas observations (desirable)
• Possess solid programming skills (e.g., Python) for data analysis (helpful)
• Apply anyway even if you do not meet all criteria, as missing skills can be taught during induction

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
• Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
• Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Campus experience: Our research campus in the countryside creates ideal conditions for collegial exchange and sporting activities right on site. Our cafeteria offers a wide range of options—you can enjoy a relaxing lunch break with a lake view
• Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (67,5%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% , as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 74 of the PDF download)
• Fixed‑term: The position is limited to 3 years
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

Place of Employment: Jülich

Start Date:To the next possible date

Salary: Pay group 13 (67,5%) TVöD-Bund

Application Deadline:The position will be published until it is successfully filled

Index number: 2026D-0677