Senior Research Associate in Modelling Atmospheric Oxidation in the Tropics

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Lancaster Environment Centre. The role focuses on advancing understanding of atmospheric oxidation in tropical regions through model calibration. Responsibilities include developing atmospheric models, collating observations, and presenting findings. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in atmospheric science or a related field, along with programming skills in R or Python. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful research and collaborate internationally.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and applying atmospheric models.
• Strong skills in programming and data analysis using R, Python or similar languages.
• Demonstrated ability to publish high-quality results.

Responsibilities

• Developing and applying the FRSGC/UCI chemistry transport model.
• Collating observations to constrain models.
• Running perturbed parameter ensembles for model calibration.
• Investigating future changes in tropospheric composition using calibrated models.
• Presenting research findings and publishing.

Skills

Programming using R

Data analysis

Atmospheric modelling

Education

PhD in atmospheric science or closely related discipline

Job description

Lancaster Environment Centre is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate for the project Determination of Tropical Oxidising Capacity through model calibration (DeTOX). This is a full‑time post with funding for up to 42 months. We would like someone to start in March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The DeTOX project aims to advance our understanding of atmospheric oxidation in the tropics to improve projections of future atmospheric composition in response to climate change and tropical development. The project will provide the first robust constraints on oxidation by bringing together observations and global atmospheric models using innovative statistical and machine‑learning approaches. It will provide the first clear attribution of how different physical, chemical and meteorological processes govern atmospheric oxidation, and fresh insight into how oxidation may change in future and the implications of this for important pollutants and greenhouse gases such as ozone and methane. The project is led from Lancaster, drawing on expertise in atmospheric modelling and data science, and involves partners at six UK institutions and collaborators in the US.

Responsibilities

• Developing and applying the FRSGC/UCI chemistry transport model to quantify the impacts of key processes on tropical oxidants
• Collating a comprehensive suite of observations to constrain models
• Running perturbed parameter ensembles with the model to inform calibration
• Applying the calibrated model to investigate how tropospheric composition in the tropics is likely to change in future
• Presenting research findings at meetings and writing them up for publication

Qualifications

• a PhD in atmospheric science or a closely related discipline
• experience in developing and applying atmospheric models
• strong skills in programming and data analysis using R, Python or similar languages
• demonstrated ability to publish high‑quality results in the scientific literature
• motivation, passion and resilience to ensure the success of this cross‑disciplinary project

This position is based in the Atmospheric Science research group at the Lancaster Environment Centre. The group has a strong national and international track record in measurements and modelling, with expertise in air quality, biogenic emissions, halocarbons, atmospheric oxidation and climate change. Lancaster Environment Centre is the largest department at Lancaster University and is a friendly community of world‑class researchers addressing today’s biggest environmental challenges. The Northwest of England offers high standards of living, beautiful countryside, and excellent national and international transport connections.

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.