Open Positions

1) Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Atmospheric Aerosol Modeling [Edit: this position is no longer vacant]

Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, McGill University (posted January 2017)

The group of Prof. A. Zuend has an opening for a researcher at the postdoctoral level. We look for a candidate with a PhD in atmospheric chemistry, meteorology, physics, chemical engineering or a related discipline and with experience in scientific programming. The researcher will work on a project focusing on the evaluation of aerosol model assumptions and related process simplifications for an improved treatment of gas-particle partitioning in air quality models.

The initial appointment is for a period of one year, starting as early as March 2017 (see details below).

Project Outline

Air quality and chemistry-climate models require an efficient parameterization for gas-particle partitioning (e.g. of water and secondary organic aerosol), which leads to a trade-off between accurate process representations and necessary simplifications for computational efficiency. The main goals of this project are: (1) to develop simplifications for the parameterization of the equilibrium gas-particle partitioning process for use in large-scale air quality/climate models; and (2) to assess the impact of various levels of aerosol process simplifications on the accuracy of the results and the associated computational costs.

The model development and benchmark calculations within this project will make use of an existing, detailed thermodynamic equilibrium gas-particle partitioning framework based on the AIOMFAC model. This model will serve as a basis for a quantitative assessment of a range of simplifications regarding the thermodynamic non-ideality treatment of organic and inorganic mixed phases, including the presence or absence of liquid-liquid phase separation.

Qualification Requirements

  • Applicants hold a PhD degree in atmospheric chemistry, meteorology, physics, chemical engineering, environmental engineering or a related discipline.
  • The PhD degree was obtained within the past five years.
  • Excellent knowledge of both oral and written English.

Preferred Skills

  • Experience in scientific programming, ideally in Fortran will be an advantage.
  • Prior training and/or research experience in atmospheric chemistry and physics or chemical thermodynamics is desired.

Terms of Employment

  • The initial appointment is for a period of one year and salary will be commensurate with experience. The preferred start date would be March or April 2017.
  • Additional information on eligibility requirements and benefits for Postdoctoral fellows at McGill.

McGill University is committed to diversity and equity in employment. It welcomes applications from: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Contact and Application

Applicants, please send the following via email to Prof. Andreas Zuend:

  • CV (including degrees and completed study programs, work/research experience, language skills and a list of publications).
  • The names and contact information of 2-3 references.
Further information about the position can be obtained from Prof. Andreas Zuend, andreas.zuend@mcgill.ca.


2) Graduate student opportunities

Interested in graduate studies in the field of atmospheric chemistry and physics at McGill? Even if there are no open positions posted on this page, there may be upcoming opportunitites for graduate (MSc, PhD) students in our group. Please feel free to contact me.
See also information for future graduate students, details on the AOS Graduate Program and other available positions in the Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences

© 2013–2022 Andreas Zuend, McGill University last page update: 2022-05-06