Postdoctoral Research Assistant in satellite imager retrievals of volcanic and hydrometeor clouds

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in satellite imager retrievals of volcanic and hydrometeor clouds. The post-holder will join the Earth Observation Data Group in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics and will run and apply existing ORAC satellite retrieval code for aerosol and cloud properties. The post is expected to contribute first to the analysis of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption cloud and then to the Greenland aerosol-cloud interactions project, with emphasis on geophysical interpretation of the retrievals and publication of the results. The post will provide opportunities for first-author publications, conference travel, development of transferable Python/Fortran geophysical data-analysis skills, and exploration of modern analysis methods, including machine-learning or AI-assisted approaches where scientifically appropriate. The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach.

Applicants should hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, or be close to completion, in physics, atmospheric science, Earth observation, applied mathematics or a related quantitative field. Knowledge of remote sensing or comparable geophysical data analysis would be an advantage, and applicants with strong quantitative computing skills and an interest in applying these to atmospheric satellite data are also encouraged to apply. Expertise in radiative transfer and aerosol/cloud scattering would be advantageous. Strong computing ability, particularly with Python and Fortran, is important.

The post is full time and fixed term for 23 months.

The closing date for applications is noon GMT time on Friday, 19 June 2026.

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement and details of two referees as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Applicants should ensure that their two referees send their letters before the application deadline, to aopp-admin@physics.ox.ac.uk