Research Engineer - Development And Validation Of An Experimental Simulation Chamber To Study The Sea-Atmosphere Transfer Of Micro- And Nano-Plastics

24 Oct 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company

Aix-Marseille University

Research Field

Environmental science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

17 Dec 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

15 Jan 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Research project: The research engineer will be recruited in the framework of the ANR BubblePlast project, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR, call for projects 2023). This project brings together five national partners (Geosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET, Toulouse), Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement (IGE, Grenoble), Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux (IPREM, Pau), Laboratoire de Chimie de l'Environnement (LCE, Marseille - Aix-en-Provence), Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale (LOPS, Brest)) and aims to improve our understanding of the large-scale environmental dispersion of micro- and nano-plastics (MPs/NPs) through their transfer from marine surfaces to the atmosphere. The project is based on a combination of laboratory experiments, ocean modeling of MP/NP surface concentrations and fluxes, and atmospheric modeling of their sea-atmosphere transfer and short- and long-range transport. The surface bursting of air bubble plumes generated by breaking waves has long been recognized as a major source of naturally occurring atmospheric aerosols, known as sea spray aerosols (SSA). Recent literature has shown that marine MPs/NPs can be entrained in the atmosphere during the generation of SSA, and the few observational data available today suggest a non-negligible phenomenon. One of the key aspects of the BubblePlast project will be to experimentally determine and characterize the parameters governing this sea-atmosphere transfer: size, shape, buoyancy, degree of ageing of the MPs/NPs, presence of biofilms, chemical composition and temperature of the seawater and surface microlayer, etc. The research engineer will develop the experimental simulation chamber for SSA generation and validate it for the study of MPs/NPs transfer.

Job description: Working closely with the LCE teams in Marseille and Aix- en-Provence, the research engineer will be responsible for: (1) defining the main characteristics of the simulation chamber (shape and volume, representative air bubble generation system(s), water recirculation system, sampling and compensation outlets, etc.) on the basis of the existing bibliography on the subject, (2) the assembly of the chamber (identification/purchase of equipment, assembly, connection of measuring instruments, etc.), and (3) the validation of the chamber from the point of view of representative SSA generation in terms of particle size distribution and composition, and the compatibility of its operation with the study of micro- and nano-plastics. The instrumentation associated with the simulation chamber during the validation tests will essentially consist of an optical particle counter (GRIMM and/or Fidas PALAS type), a granulometer (SPMS TSI type) and a DEKATI cascade impactor, and may be supplemented by grid samples for analysis by electron microscopy (scanning or transmission) and by an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS, Aerodyne).

Required qualifications:

- Education: Engineer, Master 2 or PhD thesis in physical chemistry of atmospheric aerosols or in fluid mechanics or nanosciences.

- Skills: excellent bibliographical research abilities, experience in conducting laboratory experiments in the field of atmospheric aerosols or fluid studies/nanoparticle behavior, practical and rigorous approach to problem-solving, ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.

Funding : French National Research Agency

Employer : Aix-Marseille University

Location : Laboratoire de Chimie de l'Environnement, UMR CNRS 7376, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13003 Marseille, France, and Europôle de l'Arbois, Bât. Villemin, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France

Salary : 2173 € (1746 € net) to 2697 € (2168 € net) based on experience

Duration: 12 months

Starting date: early 2024

Contacts:

Pascal Wong-Wah-Chung (PR AMU): [email protected] / +33(00)4.13.94.98.76

Stéphanie Rossignol (MCF AMU): [email protected] / +33(00)4.13.94.98.79

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter. We will contact you if we require additional information or documents.

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science » Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

- Education: Engineer, Master 2 or PhD thesis in physical chemistry of atmospheric aerosols or in fluid mechanics or nanosciences.

- Skills: excellent bibliographical research abilities, experience in conducting laboratory experiments in the field of atmospheric aerosols or fluid studies/nanoparticle behavior, practical and rigorous approach to problem-solving, ability to work independently and collaboratively with others.

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Good

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information

Selection process

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by e-mail. We will contact you if we require additional information or documents.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de Chimie de l'Environnemnent / Laboratory of Environmental Chemisry

Country

France

City

Marseille

Postal Code

13001

Street

3 place Victor Hugo

Geofield

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de Chimie de l'Environnemnent / Laboratory of Environmental Chemisry

Country

France

City

Aix-en-Provence

Postal Code

13545

Street

Europôle de l'Arbois, Bât. Villemin

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Marseille

Website

https:// lce.univ-amu.fr

Street

3 place Victor Hugo

Postal Code

13001

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED