The Lancaster Environment Center is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate for the project Determine tropical oxidation capacity through model calibration (detox). This is a full time position with 42 months funding. We would like someone to start in January 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 combining observations and global atmospheric models using innovative statistical and machine learning methods. It will provide the first clear attribution of how different physical, chemical and meteorological processes control atmospheric oxidation, and new insight into how oxidation will change in the future and the implications for important pollutants and greenhouse gases such as ozone and methane. The project is led from Lancaster, drawing on expertise in atmospheric modeling and data science, and includes partners in six UK institutions and collaborators in the US.

Key responsibilities

As part of the DeTOX project, you will be responsible for:

• Development and application of the FRSGC/UCI chemical transport model to determine the effects of key processes on tropical oxidants
• Compile a comprehensive set of observations to constrain the models
• Run perturbation parameter sets with the model to inform calibration
• Apply the calibrated model to study how the composition of the troposphere in the tropics will change in the future
• Presenting research results at meetings and writing them for publication.

We are keen to hear from candidates who have:

• PhD in Atmospheric Sciences or a closely related discipline
• Experience in developing and applying atmospheric models
• Strong programming and data analysis skills using R, Python, or similar languages
• Demonstrate the ability to publish high-quality results in the scientific literature
• Drive, passion and flexibility to ensure the success of this multidisciplinary project.

Why work with us?

This position is based on Atmospheric sciences Research group at 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 It is the largest department at Lancaster University and is a friendly and thriving community of world-class researchers tackling today’s biggest environmental challenges.

Lancaster is a high-ranking, research-led university located on the outskirts of the historic city of Lancaster. North West England offers high standards of living, beautiful countryside and excellent national and international transport links.

To find out more about the position and for an informal conversation about the role, please contact Professor Oliver Wilde, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences: o.wild@lancaster.ac.uk.