Postdoctoral Researcher - Ultrafine particles around airports

Job DescriptionHelmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
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The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting-edge international research for a changing world: Around 1,000 employees contribute to the tackling of climate change, the sustainable use of the world's coastal systems and the resource-compatible enhancement of the quality of life. From fundamental research to practical applications, the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry

The Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry investigates the occurrence and fate of pollutants in the marine environment. Hereon offers a unique chemical-analytical infrastructure with which researchers can analyze environmental samples and quantify pollutants. Additionally, the institute has complex methods for modelling sources, transport and distribution.

Postdoctoral Researcher – Ultrafine particles around airports

JobID: 1045 – 2026/KU 1
Location: Geesthacht
Project start: 15 November, 2026 until 30 June, 2028.
Application deadline: 30 August, 2026

Airports are large sources of ultrafine particles. These particles are transported in the atmosphere, leading to human exposure at distances up to 10–20 km from the source. In the SOURCE‑FFR impact study, we investigate the granular distribution of ultrafine particles around the airport of Frankfurt and look for possible long-term health effects. We run atmospheric chemistry transport models to simulate the spatial distribution of ultrafine particles and use geostatistical interpolation tools to produce very high resolution concentration data.

You will work with atmospheric urban-scale chemistry transport models, meteorological and geostatistical approaches for spatial downscaling of atmospheric concentration data.

You will join an interdisciplinary project team at the interface of environmental modelling and data science. At Hereon, the research group combines:

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• long-standing expertise in air quality modelling
  
• with growing activities in data-driven methods
  

You will work closely with:

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• Dr. Martin Ramacher (machine learning for environmental applications)
  
• Dr. Matthias Karl (urban air quality modelling and emissions)
  

and collaborate within a project consortium with expertise in:

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• Epidemiology and human health data
  

We value a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful working environment and actively encourage diverse perspectives in research.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position. In principle, the full time position (39 h/week) is also sharable. xmdgtar The project duration is planned to June 2028 with option of extension.