PhD student - Doctoral Candidate (DC12): Studying the impacts of rocket upper stage and satelli[...]

University of Leeds; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in the UK is offering a PhD position focused on the climate impact of rocket emissions. The successful candidate will measure the effects of aluminum-containing particles on stratospheric ozone and collaborate with an international team. We seek individuals with a solid background in atmospheric science or related fields, demonstrating strong analytical and communication skills. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in environmental sustainability and space transportation.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have a Master's degree or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge in atmospheric science or related fields is essential.
• Familiarity with project management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on the impacts of aluminum particles on climate.
• Model and analyze impacts of rocket industry on atmospheric chemistry.
• Collaborate with other researchers across disciplines.

Skills

Ability to work efficiently in an interdisciplinary environment

Excellent communication skills in English

Knowledge of Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Project management skills

Education

MSc or equivalent in atmospheric science, chemistry, physics, or similar

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Leeds Research Field Engineering » Aerospace engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Simulation engineering Environmental science » Earth science Environmental science » Global change Geosciences » Other Physics » Applied physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 31 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About SLICE

Space utilisation plays a crucial role in understanding climate change, but due to a drastic increase in launch rates, there is an urgent need to understand and mitigate potential environmental impacts of space activities themselves, particularly of launchers. However, large knowledge gaps persist for their operational phase from lift-off to landing/reentry. Here, the largest Global Warming Potential and Ozone Layer Depletion Potential are expected. Especially in the higher atmospheric layers, which are only accessed by launchers, potential impacts of emitted pollutants are amplified by very long retention periods and substance accumulation effects. To investigate the Space Launch Impact on Climate and Environment, SLICE will therefore develop a research and training programme that bridges the current divide between space engineering and climate science to close the gaps that exist in the Life‑Cycle Analysis of space launch systems. Thus, SLICE will contribute to advance the science of climate change by investigating the three most pressing research areas of this field: Launch Vehicle Emissions, Atmospheric Interaction & Climate Impact and System Analysis & Design. This will generate actionable insights, on which SLICE will develop solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate the delivery of the Green Deal and establish an environmentally sustainable access to space. It is the ambition of SLICE to generate desperately needed novel results, which will enable cutting‑edge innovations. At the same time, SLICE is committed to training a new generation of highly skilled, resilient, and environmentally aware researchers. They will combine deep scientific knowledge with an ecodesign mindset and the ability to communicate across disciplines and sectors. These doctoral candidates will be uniquely prepared to shape a sustainable future for space transportation in Europe - technically, environmentally, and politically. SLICE directly supports the European Green Deal, ESA’s Agenda 2025, and will deliver crucial inputs for the EU Space Law and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) regulations at European level, including the development of PEF Category Rules (PEFCR) for space.

About the host organization

The University of Leeds is one of the world’s leading universities in atmospheric science, with about 50 senior academics in the Schools of Chemistry, Earth & Environment, and Physics & Astronomy, covering a very broad range of activities. It also houses the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science directorate. The School of Chemistry is a leading international centre for chemical kinetics and its applications. ( https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry )

Task description for your Individual Research Project (IRP)

The potential impacts of aluminum containing particles, produced from ablation/demise during re‑entry, remain speculation until certain critical laboratory measurements are performed and the resulting physico‑chemistry data input into a global chemistry‑climate model.

Research Objectives:

• Measure the processing of HCl on aluminum‑containing particles
• Measure the ability of these particles to freeze H₂SO₄/HNO₃/H₂O droplets and produce polar stratospheric clouds.
• Model the impacts of Al‑containing particles on stratospheric ozone by activating the HCl reservoir and changing the frequency of PSC formation.
• Simulate with a chemistry‑climate model (WACCM) and analyse the global impacts of the rocket/satellite industry on atmospheric composition, dynamics, and climate.

Expected Results:

• Uptake coefficients of HCl on alumina particles as a function of temperature, and analysis of whether the uptake is reactive and photochemically active
• Measured freezing points of acid/H₂O droplets incorporating Al‑containing particles, as a function of H₂SO₄:HNO₃:H₂O
• Assessment of the resulting changes in stratospheric ozone from the injection of Al from space debris

Secondments:

• Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI, Villingen, Switzerland, ca. 4 months): surface analysis of HCl uptake on alumina particles, using XPS at SLS, focusing on the degree of dissociation of HCl as a function of water vapor partial pressure
• Institute Pierre‑Simon Laplace (IPSL, Guyancourt, France, ca. 3 months): parameterization of the near‑field processing

The IRP will have a strong link to other IRPs from different DCs for:

• Coordinated experiments, model updates and future scenarios
• Coordinated lab alumina experiments
• Global modeling data as input for LCA

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Geosciences » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Essential skills and requirements:

• MSc or equivalent in the field of atmospheric science, chemistry, physics or similar
• Ability to work efficiently and self‑reliantly in a diverse inter‑disciplinary and multi‑cultural environment
• Ability to work in a team as well as independently
• Ability to solve complex problems with adherence of strict deadlines
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English to derive the full benefit from the network training
• As secondments and events are foreseen, applicants must be ready to travel
• Some knowledge of Physical and Analytical Chemistry (experimental chemistry to investigate heterogeneous processes particle surfaces; phase changes), Computer Science and Informatics (uncertainty quantification), Environment and Society (pollution and climate; sustainable development and nature protection), Earth System Science (atmospheric modelling; general circulation models with chemistry‑climate coupling; aerosol sectional models; atmospheric chemistry; data of chemical transformations of reactive gases of rocket exhausts; data of atmospheric dynamics, climate and weather prediction models and earth system modelling), and Space Sciences (meteoroid modelling and composition, atmosphere‑meteoroid interaction and cosmic dust)
• Knowledge in EcoDesign, climate sciences and life‑cycle assessments
• Project management

Specific Requirements

Applicants can be of anynationality.

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot receive an employment contract before having obtained the master degree.

Candidates may apply to multiple positions offered within SLICE, but should carefully choose the ones that they apply for.

In addition:

Horizon Europe MSCA Mobility Rule Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (UK) for more than 12months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date – unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

Horizon Europe MSCA Eligibility Criteria Doctoral Candidates (DC) must, at the date of recruitment by the host organization, have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Applicants who do not fulfill the Mobility Rule and the Eligibility Criteria CANNOT be considered for the research position.

• You will be working within our international group of > 30 researchers with experience in a broad range of sciences.
• You will get in contact with the other members of this international consortium.
• You will benefit from the well‑structured training program offered by the host institution and the SLICE consortium to develop skills and thorough understanding of space transportation systems and their environmental impact.
• You will be employed by the host organization for 36 months.
• You will participate in international conferences and secondments to other organisations within the SLICE network and in outreach activities targeted at a wide audience.

For the selection procedure, the SLICE consortium will appoint a Recruitment Committee (RC) for each position. The selection will be carried out in two consecutive stages. In the primary selection, the RC evaluates all submitted application documents. Eligible candidates of sufficient quality will be shortlisted. In the final selection, short‑listed applicants are invited to interviews, held either in person at the host institution or via video‑conference, and to complete a position‑specific task. Both interviews and tasks are evaluated against predefined criteria, leading to a ranked list of candidates. Final decisions are made by consensus within the RC. Applicants will be informed about rejection or admission to the interview stage by the end of March 2026, and final outcomes will be communicated by the end of June 2026. The employment and relocation phase will then start immediately, allowing sufficient time for contracting, visa applications, and relocation before the official start of the DC projects in October 2026.

Timeline

Primary Selection: 30.04.2026

Final Selection: 30.06.2026

Additional comments

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit one single PDF containing the following documents in this exact order:

• Application form
• An evidence‑based CV that reflects a representative array of achievements and qualifications appropriate to the position you are applying for
• Reference letters or, at minimum, the contact details of persons that may be contacted for reference
• Educational and professional certificates (university degree(s) with marks, internships, workshops, languages, etc.)

Moreover, you must submit:

• Short video (maximum 30 seconds, not longer). The video must include: personal introduction, background and your motivation to apply to the research position

The email subject must be “Application for DC12 position”.

The email size incl. attachments must not exceed 30 MB in total.

You will receive an automatic reply if we have received your email. Please avoid any questions on the status of the selection process. We will inform you as soon as there is an update.

Candidates whose application is not compliant with the requirements above will not be considered.

Application deadline:31 March 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

More information and other vacant positions can be found at:

We in the SLICE consortium value diversity and we commit to equal treatment of all applicants irrespective of gender, sexuality, health status as well as social, cultural or religious background.