Urban air Quality in a changing climate

Organisation/Company Laboratoire Chimie de l'Environnement Department Faculty of Sciences Research Field Environmental science » Earth science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 1 Dec 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 12 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Chemistry and Urban Air Quality

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to lead the analysis of data from an extensive urban field campaign investigating the effects of urban greening and mobility strategies on air quality. The position is part of a multidisciplinary research programme combining atmospheric chemistry and physics, urban planning, health and environmental sciences.

The successful candidate will analyse a comprehensive dataset covering both gaseous and particulate pollutants, acquired using state-of-the-art online instrumentation deployed on the MASSALYA mobile platform ( LCE MASSALYA ). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been measured using PTR-ToF-MS, while aerosol physical and chemical properties are characterised using a high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-AMS) and the CHARON inlet coupled to PTR-ToF-MS. These measurements are complemented by black carbon, NOx and ozone observations.

The postdoctoral researcher will:

• lead the processing and analysis of the atmospheric chemistry and aerosol datasets;
• investigate the influence of urban design, greening and mobility on air pollutant concentrations and composition;
• develop and apply appropriate statistical and source-apportionment approaches;
• contribute to scientific publications and present results at international conferences.

The candidate should hold a PhD in atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, environmental sciences, chemical engineering or a related field. Experience in the analysis of atmospheric observations, aerosol or VOC measurements, mass spectrometry, or statistical/data-analysis methods would be an advantage. We are looking for a candidate who is comfortable working in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

Research environment

The position is part of the OASIS-Urbaines project, funded by the ITEM Institute, and closely linked to the PEPR RESILIENCE programme ( PEPR RESILIENCE ). These projects aim to develop more sustainable and inclusive urban environments by assessing how urban planning, greening and mobility strategies affect environmental quality and human well-being.

The research combines field measurements and modelling to investigate air quality, urban heat islands, greenhouse gas emissions, mobility and biodiversity. The overall objective is to identify urban planning strategies that maximise co-benefits across these different dimensions and to provide evidence-based recommendations for local authorities.

The project will contribute to the development of maps, models and practical guidance tools to support urban planning decisions and improve public understanding of their environmental and health impacts.

Requirements

Research Field Environmental science » Earth science Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

PhD or equivalent in chemistry or physics or engineering.

The candidate must hold at least a PhD in chemistry, physics or environmental sciences (atmospheric chemistry). Experience in VOC or aerosol measurements online mass spectrometry is required for this position, ideally during field campaigns. Skills in advanced statistics and automated data processing (preferably in Igor, Python and R programming language) are a prerequisite, due to the large amount of data that will be generated during the field campaign . Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project, the candidate must show ability to work with multiple research fields and institutions. Strong communication and organizational skills are thus essential to ensure the success of the project.

Specific Requirements

As the project is interdisciplinary, the candidate must be motivated and ensure that complementary areas of expertise are integrated in a balanced manner, regularly present their progres