The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V. (IASS) is an international, interdisciplinary center of excellence located in Potsdam, Germany. The IASS is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal State of Brandenburg and devoted to promoting science and research for global sustainability, particularly in the areas of climate change, the earth system and the development of new technologies and social pathways to sustainability. Further information about the IASS can be accessed under www.iass-potsdam.de/en. The IASS is seeking for the position of a

Postdoctoral Research Associate (m/f/d)
for Simulation of atmosphere in central Himalayan region
with the WRF-Chem model

Ref. No.: SusKat-2019-1

The successful candidate will become part of the project SusKat (Sustainable atmosphere in the Kathmandu Valley) led by Dr. Maheswar Rupakheti (Scientific Project Leader) under the overall guidance of Prof. Mark G. Lawrence (Scientific Director). The project SusKat is aimed at building scientific basis of understanding and addressing serious air pollution in the central Himalayan region with focus on Nepal, a heavily polluted but yet relatively less studied region of the world, and thus facilitating transformative change in the region. In order to accelerate actions on tackling air pollution with a goal of contributing to transformation towards sustainability, we need first a proper holistic understanding of the scientific (physical science) and societal knowns and unknowns, and interlinkages between them - for example, past evolution of air pollution, factors governing such evolution, including local specifics such as sociocultural issues, emissions, interactions of emissions with meteorology, air pollution impacts, and new tools, technologies and approaches that have potentials for making transformative change. The SusKat activities are designed to work on all these fronts. A Research Associate position at the postdoctoral level (or in exceptional circumstances at the PhD level) is available to investigate the detailed physical and chemical mechanisms of interactions between emissions and meteorology in the region and analysis of mitigation potential of various mitigation options with focus on Nepal using either outputs of either already conducted simulations or carrying our new simulations using the WRF-Chem modeling tool and newly-developed comprehensive Nepal emission inventories (NEEMI). The project will provide information about air pollution formation mechanisms, potential impacts of emissions on air quality, public health and climate, and sector-specific plausible mitigation pathways underlying policy-relevant applications. The position is funded at the postdoctoral level, either full time for one year (July 2019 - June 2020) or 50% time for two years. In exceptional circumstances it could also be funded as a PhD project, provided the candidate already has a strong background in atmospheric chemistry and extensive experience in using WRF-Chem model. Tasks:

• The successful candidate will primarily use the output data from WRF-Chem simulations of the central Himalaya and surrounding regions that are being currently carried out, with the main tasks being to further analyze the output data, interpret the results, and write manuscripts (primarily focused on pollution mitigation options and their expected impacts on regional atmospheric chemistry and pollution levels) for publication in international journals.
• The candidate may also carry out new simulation experiments for a set of policy options if he/she is interested in and capable of doing so independently.

Requirements:

• You have a PhD (or in exceptional circumstances an MSc) in atmospheric science, atmospheric chemistry, meteorology or a similar discipline.
• You have a demonstrated experience in using the WRF-Chem model independently, and have published at least one paper (preferably more) on atmospheric chemistry topics using the WRF-Chem model.
• You should have well-developed scientific computer programming skills (UNIX, FORTRAN etc.) and data visualization skills.
• You should be fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of German is a positive factor but is not required.

We offer an exciting and diverse job in multicultural, multinational and interdisciplinary setting, excellent contacts to a wide range of national and international collaborators, potential opportunities to collaborate with other colleagues and projects at IASS. The remuneration will be according to the German public service federal employment system (E 13 TVöD Bund). Place of work is Potsdam, Germany. The IASS seeks to achieve gender equality and diversity. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds. Applications of disabled persons with equal qualifications will be regarded favorably. If you are interested in this position, please email your application (including a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of 2-3 references), mentioning the reference number given above to: Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V.
Cordula Granderath
Berliner Str. 130
14467 Potsdam
email: cordula.granderath@iass-potsdam.de The application deadline is 15^th March 2019. The position is available starting in July 2019. If personal interviews are scheduled, travel costs cannot be reimbursed.