PIONEER-TOPIC#2025: Effect of air pollution on populations in urban areas of PIONEER cities: co[...]

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A French university is seeking a PhD candidate to investigate air pollution's effects in urban areas. This research involves innovative methods to analyze individual exposures and impacts on health related to traffic emissions in cities like Lisbon and Lyon. Candidates should possess a relevant master's degree and strong data science skills. Full-time contract, 35 hours per week, and 15 months of research mobility to Lisbon are part of the offer.

Prestations

Access to social security and health insurance

25 days of annual paid leave

Participation in international workshops and conferences

Qualifications

• Must have a strong background in data sciences and machine learning.
• Experience with programming in Python is advantageous.
• Willingness to conduct interdisciplinary research.

Responsabilités

• Conduct analysis on the effects of air pollution in urban areas.
• Perform behavioral surveys and impact analysis.
• Publish scientific results in high-impact journals.

Connaissances

Strong background in data sciences

Machine learning

Strong programming skills (Python)

Good scientific communication skills

Fluency in English (B1 level)

Formation

Master’s degree in Atmospheric sciences, Meteorology, or Data Sciences

Description du poste

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Organisation/Company Université Gustave Eiffel Department Umrestte Research Field Environmental science » Other Mathematics » Statistics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 11 Aug 2025 - 12:16 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Traffic emissions have become the major air pollution source in urban areas [1, 2], and the United Nations Organisation stresses that air pollution in Europe remains one of the greatest environmental health threats [3].

This PhD proposal focuses on the analysis of the effects of air pollution on populations in urban areas, by combining the analysis of individual exposure to traffic-related pollutants with available datasets on pollution parameters, such as air quality, air combustion gases, particulate matter, and weather parameters. This work intends also to analyse the impact of exposure to air pollution on health and habits. Research questions that should be addressed include the analysis of the efficiency of national pollution regulations, the World Health Organization’s Air quality [4], and other WHO [5] guidelines.

This work aims to advance innovative methods, technologies, and tools contributing to improving health and well-being of citizens exposed to air pollution in two European cities taking into account their climate differences and their emission reduction policies. This proposal is aligned with SDG 11, contributing to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Expected results
It is expected that the PhD student will:
1)Propose innovative methods, technologies, and tools contributing to the advancement of the state of the art on the impact of air pollution on populations in dense urban areas;
2)Conduct behavioral surveys, perform impact analysis experimentations and design improvements to air pollution mitigation strategies;
3)Conduct individual exposure measurements during urban mobilities in Lisbon and Lyon; compare with data from fixed monitoring stations (regulated pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3 will be considered, as well as ultrafine particles and black carbon because of their health impacts);
4)Compare individual exposure to air pollution and the effect of air pollution data on populations in the two PIONEER cities Lisbon and Lyon; and analyse the efficiency of national regulations on pollution and of the WHO air quality guidelines; propose a methodology to extend to other PIONEER cities;
5)To complete the analysis of the efficiency of national regulations, conduct health risk assessments using reference toxicological values for measured pollutants (for threshold and non-threshold health effects) from individual exposures and air pollution data in the cities of Lisbon and Lyon;
6)Build dynamic pollution cartographies enabling easy monitoring and comparison of variations among cities/regions/countries;
7)Propose recommendations on efficient-proven policies and actions to reduce the impact of air pollution on populations in urban areas, for public policy decision-makers;
8)Publish scientific publications in high impact journals.

Related previous results:
Publications
Sarroeira, R., Henriques, J., Sousa, A. M., Ferreira da Silva, C., Nunes, N., Moro, S....Botelho, M. do C. (2023). Monitoring sensors for urban air quality: The case of the municipality of Lisbon. Sensors. 23 (18), https://ciencia.iscte-iul.pt/publications/monitoring-sensors-for-urban-…
Ferreira da. Silva, C., Nunes, N., Moro, S., Henriques, J., Sousa, A. & Sarroeira, R. (2023). Environmental inequalities in the municipality of Lisbon: Spatial analysis of combustion gases. In Transportation Research Procedia. (pp. 1216-1223), Elsevier. https://ciencia.iscte-iul.pt/publications/environmental-inequalities-in…
Charron A., Polo Rehn L., Besombes J.L., Golly B., Buisson C., Chanut H., Marchand N., Guillaud G., Jaffrezo J.L., 2019, Identification and quantification of particulate tracers of exhaust and non-exhaust vehicle emissions, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 19, 5187-5207, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-5187-2019 .
Uzu G., Calas A., Besombes J.L., Martins J., Redaelli M., Weber S., Charron A., Albinet A., Brulfert G., Mesbah B., Guernion P-Y, Favez O. and Jaffrezo JL, 2019, Seasonal variations and chemical predictors of oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM), for 7 urban French sites, Atmosphere, 10, 698, doi:10.3390/atmos10110698.

Conference communication
Ferreira da Silva, C., Nunes, N., Moro, S. (2022). Environmental inequalities in the city of Lisbon: From metadata to inclusive policies of transport and mobility. 9th Transport Research Arena (TRA), Lisbon, Portugal Final Abstract Article.pdf
Exploring Short-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution during Bicycle Commuting, 2025, Al Marj E., Mahou I., Fort A.; Harrison R., Pope F., Faherty T. Charron A., Poster, European Aerosol Conference 2025.

Strong background in data sciences, machine learning
Strong programming skills (such as Python)
Fluency in English (at least B1 level)
A good knowledge in Atmospheric sciences or meteorology will be an advantage

Specific Requirements

A Master degree in the following fields: Atmospheric sciences, Meteorology, Data Sciences
Good scientific communication skills, both written and oral, in English
Motivation to conduct interdisciplinary research and to evolve with interdisciplinary teams
Ability to work independently while collaborating across institutions.
Willingness and ability to spend research stays in two universities, University Gustave Eiffel-Lyon's Campus and 15 months at University Institute of Lisbon ISCTE, during the PhD.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Other Years of Research Experience None

Additional Information

High-quality doctoral training leading to a PhD degree delivered by Université Gustave Eiffel, under joint supervision with University Institute of Lisbon ISCTE (PIONEER partner).
Appointment for 36 months under a full-time doctoral contract.
Employment under French labour law, including 35 hours per week, 25 days of annual paid leave and access to social security and health insurance
Opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary international team, with guidance from experts in shared mobility, transportation resilience, and urban accessibility.
Potential eligibility for the European Doctorate label, subject to conditions.
Participation in international workshops, scientific conferences, and mobility to partner institutions in the EU.
Access to laboratories and resources at both universities (including datasets, and computing facilities).

Eligibility criteria

At the time of recruitment, applicants must be in possession of their Master’s degree or equivalent/postgraduate degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate.

Selection process

The thesis will take place under the PIONEER+ project, a European Universities Alliance, coordinated by université Gustave Eiffel. Under the PIONEER project, université Gustave Eiffel secured a national funding for three PhD thesis linked to the SDG 11.
Candidates pre-selected by the thesis supervisor will be invited to an interview in English before a panel composed of members of the PIONEER alliance between September 22nd and october 15th 2025.
The applicants will be informed until the 15 August if they are selected for an interview, in which case the interview will take place between the 25 August and 29 August.Application deadline: 11 August 2025,

Additional comments

The doctoral candidate will conduct 15 months of research mobility at University Institute of Lisbon ISCTE during the PhD program.