Associate Research Scientist on GHG modeling at Cyprus Institute

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non‐profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific
and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations, cross‐disciplinary research,
innovation, and post graduate education. CyI, through its established research centers, addresses
challenging issues that are important at both the regional and international levels. Many of its research
activities are being carried out in partnership with leading institutions in the respective
thematic areas.

The Cyprus Institute invites applications for an Associate Research Scientist in Atmospheric
Sciences at the CyI's Climate and Atmosphere Research Center (CARE‐C) in the
framework of the EU‐H2020 “EMME‐CARE” (Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate and
Atmosphere Research Centre; http://emme‐care.cyi.ac.cy/; TEAMING Grant no. 856612), and in
cooperation with EU Advanced Partners (Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany; University
of Helsinki in Finland; and CEA in France).

Position Description

Greenhouse gases (GHG) and pollutants emissions from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
(EMME) region have been rising quickly in the last decade and mitigation efforts will be required to
keep the goal of the Paris Agreement. In support of national inventories, atmospheric in‐situ and
satellite observations of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4) and co‐emitted pollutants (NO2, CO) can be
used to quantify emissions and their variability in response to human activities and climate change.

We seek for a motivated researcher in the field of atmospheric modeling and / or data assimilation
to build and apply inversion models that will reduce uncertainty on greenhouse gas and co‐emitted
pollutants emissions from the EMME region. The goal is to develop new emissions monitoring tools
using satellite observations of column integrated CO2 concentrations from OCO2 and OCO3
instruments and of CH4 and NO2 / CO e.g. from S5P TROPOMI and GOSAT. The main system could
be the LMDZ PYVAR CIF atmospheric data assimilation system built at LSCE (Laboratoire des Sciences
du Climate et de l’Environnement, CEA, France) with a regional zoom over the region of interest.

The selected candidate will be expected to develop a successful research activity on modeling
atmospheric GHGs within CARE‐C (Climate and Atmosphere Research Center, The Cyprus Institute,
Cyprus), as part of a long‐term collaboration with the LSCE, under the responsibility of Prof. Philippe
Ciais and Dr. Frédéric Chevallier. The main output will be new estimates of greenhouse gases and
pollutants emissions with a low latency, in support of regional mitigation awareness and policies.
High profile scientific publications are expected from the research as well as policy relevant material
such as comparison with official inventories, and regular bulletins of the greenhouse gas budgets of
different countries and cities in the Mediterranean and Middle East area.

Supervision and co‐supervision of graduate students, the development of new research projects and
involvement into existing ones will be facilitated and supported by scientific and administrative staff
at CARE‐C. The successful candidate will be expected to support new research thrust with the
highest international standards, leveraging CyI and CARE‐C resources (45 million euros in the
framework of EMME‐CARE) and utilizing the highly competitive research facilities of the Cyprus
Institute such as the “Cy‐Tera” HPC (http://web.cytera.cyi.ac.cy/) and the Cyprus Atmospheric
Observatory (CAO, http://www.cyi.ac.cy/index.php/cao.html) which is part of international
networks (WMO‐GAW, EMEP, ACTRIS, TCCON).

The successful candidate will be working in a highly international team at CARE‐C (100 research staff
from 15 different countries), within a green and peaceful environment (Athalassa Forestry Park)
next to all commodities, where English is the exclusive language (for both research and
administration). This position may be renewed and possibly turned into an indefinite working
contract based on performance and funds availability.

Responsibilities/activities to be involved in:

Adapt and apply the atmospheric inversion system LMDZ‐PYVAR to quantify greenhouse
gas and pollutant emissions in the Mediterranean and Middle east region
Compare top‐down atmospheric estimates of emissions with bottom‐up activity data and
inventories and analyze their mutual consistency
Work collaboratively with the Greenhouse Gases Emissions Group at CARE‐C and the
SATINV team at LSCE
Write peer reviewed scientific publications about the result of the research
Develop new research projects with regional stakeholders and research teams in CARE‐C
and teaming partners (CEA, MPIC, Univ. Helsinki)
Supervise graduate students and staff working on the relevant projects
Required Qualifications

PhD degree on Research Fields such as Atmospheric physics, air quality, greenhouse gas atmospheric modeling
A minimum of 3 to 5‐year post‐doctoral research experience
Knowledge of data assimilation / statistics
Programming skills e.g. python, R, fortran and modeling
Handling of large datasets
Statistics and data analysis
Knowledge of European research programs (e.g. Copernicus)
International mobility (Europe, Middle East) for scientific collaborations
Have a demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as working as part of a team
Capability to develop and manage research projects
Supervision of students and young scientists
Excellent interpersonal skills aimed at maintaining contacts in academic, business and
governmental circles.
Proficiency in spoken and written English is a prerequisite.
Strong organizational skills.
Research/Academic experience required:

Track record of peer reviewed publications
Track record of conferences communications (e.g. invited presentations)
Writing of scientific publications
Presentation of research results to a range of audience (scientific, non‐scientific)
Application

For full consideration, interested applicants should process their application using the Exelsys job platform based on the instructions given. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae including a short letter of interest and a list of three (3) referees (including contact information) (all documentation should be in English and in PDF Format). For further information, please contact Prof. Philippe Ciais, (p.ciais@cyi.ac.cy). Please note that applications which do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.

Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.

Contact person: Prof. Philippe Ciais