Welcome to INTRAMIF
INitial TRAining network in Mass Independent Fractionation

ESR project 5: CO2 + O3 isotope exchange via O(1D) and stratospheric CO2

APPLICATION CLOSED, CANDIDATE FOUND!

Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU), Utrecht University (UU), The Netherlands
supervisor, T. Röckmann, IMAU >e-mail

co-supervisor C. Janssen, LPMAA

Stratospheric CO2 is anomalously enriched in 17O, leading to the most unusual three-isotope relation observed in nature to date, δ17O ~1.7 δ18O (Lämmerzahl et al. 2002) . It has been shown that the isotope anomaly is transferred from O3 to CO2 via O(1D). The anomaly can be used as a tracer of stratospheric chemistry and transport and ultimately causes an anomaly in the atmospheric O2 reservoir that is used to study biospheric productivity (ESR project 11). Nevertheless, the details of the transfer mechanism are not yet understood. We have recently established a promising new approach to study this isotope transfer: investigations of the isotope equilibrium between O2 and CO2 (Shaheen et al. 2007). The results show that the stratospheric observations cannot be explained by existing lab measurements, in contrast to earlier claims (Chakraborty & Bhattacharya 2003). Within the ITN, we will couple this new approach to ozone isotope characterization (LPMAA) to unravel the nature of the isotope exchange, in particular, whether or not further mass independent isotope effects are associated with the exchange process involving the CO3* intermediate.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must not already hold a PhD degree.
• At the time of selection for this position, you must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career. This is measured from the date when you obtained the degree which would formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the Netherlands.
• In line with EU requirements, successful applicants must demonstrate trans-national mobility, i.e. they must move to the Netherlands from their present country of residence. The project is not generally open to applicants who are presently in the Netherlands. Please check section II.1 of the FP 7 PEOPLE Work Programme for details.

Benefits:

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD project. Successful applicants will be paid a salary for three years to cover their living expenses. In addition to conducting their research projects, they will attend associated training modules that include summer schools, skills courses, scientific meetings etc. They are also eligible for additional payments towards their travel and relocation costs as well as a "Career Exploratory" allowance. Fellows will be able to start their three-year fellowships from 1 September 2009 on.

How to apply:

• If you want to apply for this project, please follow the guidelines here
• For this project, send a copy of the application to science.peno@uu.nl mentioning vacancy number 63911.
• Applications must be received by 1 july 2009.
• Women researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.
• For further questions, please contact the supervisor of the project.