Research Fellow in Atmospheric Ice Nucleation

This role will be based in the School of Earth and Environment, with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Would you like to help understand the feasibility of climate cooling approaches that might “buy time” to decarbonise? Do you have an established background in experimental cloud and aerosol research, and do you want to further your career in a one of the world’s leading atmospheric science institutes? 

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team in the exciting field of Atmospheric Ice Nucleation. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in building, developing and using a new isothermal diffusion chamber for measuring ice nucleation particle (INP) concentrations in the upper troposphere. This project is a collaborative effort between the University of Leeds, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Imperial College London. You will become a key member of the Ice-Nucleating Particles in the Upper Troposphere: Advancing Cirrus Control and Experimental Science Strength (INPUT:ACCESS) team focused on quantifying the concentration of ice-forming particles present in the upper troposphere (UT). This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations. 

Background: Water vapor and cirrus ice clouds in the upper troposphere significantly impact Earth's radiation balance by trapping long-wave radiation. Three proposed methods aim to reduce global climate forcing by manipulating upper tropospheric/lower stratospheric water vapor and cirrus clouds: cirrus cloud thinning (CCT), contrail management (CM), and intentional stratospheric dehydration (ISD). However, these methods depend on poorly understood climate phenomena, and current models and measurements are inadequate to ensure their effectiveness.

INPUT:ACCESS will develop the capability for routine measurement of upper tropospheric water vapor concentration, (INP) concentrations and cirrus crystal profiles using balloon-borne instruments. This innovative approach will facilitate evaluation of cirrus-related climate interventions by determining INP characteristics within the context of aerosol populations and air mass conditions. To do this NOAA  will develop a balloon-borne INP collector and cirrus ice crystal counter and will conduct a campaign of weather balloon launches to collect INPs from the upper troposphere. The successful candidate will be responsible for building and using an isothermal diffusion chamber capable of exposing collected INPs to cirrus cloud conditions to determine INP concentrations in the upper troposphere.

The University of Leeds is one of the top 75 universities in the world.  We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities.  Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe. 

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

What we offer in return

•    26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!

•    Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary

•    Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance

•    Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

•    Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.

•    Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr Thomas Whale 

Email: T.F.Whale@leeds.ac.uk

Closing Date: 07 Jul 2025

Section: Research

Salary: £39,355 to £46,735 per annum