Empa

Scientist for Radiocarbon monitoring to partition fossil and biogenic CO2 emissions

Dübendorf, Switzerland

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Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology focuses on the emissions, transport, and fate of anthropogenic air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Our research provides the scientific ground for most effectively reducing their impact by assessing and driving technical solutions supporting emission reduction, and by guiding decision makers in the field of environmental politics.

Radiocarbon analysis in carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most direct tool to distinguish between renewable sources and fossil fuel combustion, and to support mitigation efforts towards carbon neutrality. We will establish the first analytical tool for continuous radiocarbon analysis in atmospheric CO2. The instrumental setup will comprise a SCAR radiocarbon spectrometer and a home-built QCLAS spectrometer for 13CO2/12CO2, both coupled to an automated preconcentration device to separate and purify CO2 from air.

As a partner of two European research projects, we are looking for a highly motivated scientist with strong interest and skills in analytics, data analysis and radiocarbon research.

Scientist for Radiocarbon monitoring to partition fossil and biogenic CO2 emissions

Job description, responsibilities and tasks

Setup an analytical platform for automated CO2 preconcentration from ambient air.
Characterize, validate and automatize laser spectroscopy for radiocarbon (14CO2) and stable isotope analysis (13CO2).
Establish, test and optimize an analytical workflow for sample / reference gas analysis and a software algorithm for data treatment.
Collaborate with leading AMS laboratories to ensure comparability of on-line measurements with established low-frequency monitoring.
Communicate results in project reports, scientific journals and at conferences.

Required skills

MSc or PhD degree in chemistry, physics, or a related discipline.
Strong skills in analytics and measurement techniques for stable isotopes and radiocarbon, and interest in complex automated setups.
Software skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB or R).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. German is a plus.
Self-responsibility and willingness for open communication and committed teamwork.

Our offer

We are a dynamic research team, dedicated to advancing the use of stable isotopes and radiocarbon to address environmentally relevant research questions. We are offering a multifaceted and challenging position for 3 years (with the possibility of extension) in a modern research environment with excellent infrastructure. Working place will be at Empa in Dübendorf.

Appointments start preferably in Summer 2025. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis beginning 08.03.25.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, transcripts of diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.