Postdoctoral Researcher

The long-term goals of the RECENT AIR unit aim: i) to have continuously conducted knowledge-driven and applied scientific research, and ii) maintain the developed scientific infrastructure and provide research-based services. Transparency and openness are two important characteristics of the activity promoted within the Centre. The candidates will join the atmospheric chemistry division team operating infrastructure from the:

• Laboratory of applied chemistry in the atmospheric aerosol science (RA-01), https://recent-air.uaic.ro/laboratoare.php?ra=1;
• Air Quality Monitoring Station (AMOS) of an urban atmosphere (RA-02), https://recent-air.uaic.ro/laboratoare.php?ra=2 ;
• Laboratory for the investigation of the physico-chemical processes in the gas phase with implications in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (RA-03), https://recent-air.uaic.ro/laboratoare.php?ra=3.

The research team brings interdisciplinary expertise for approaches of various research subjects related to atmospheric chemistry and physics issues provides access to some of the most modern state-of-the-art technological platforms suitable for the interest research area. More information available at: https://recent-air.uaic.ro/echipamente.php

Within the atmospheric chemistry division research team (RECENT AIR), we:

• investigate the aerosols and other pollutants dynamics in the real atmosphere (while using aerosols Lidar in tandem with other several remote sensing instrumentations such as Ceilometers, Photometers, wind Lidar; Aerodyne devoted instrumentation and also TSI and DEKATI instruments for the investigation of the chemical and physical features of size-segregated aerosol particles, and many others);
• perform investigations on photochemical processes and reaction mechanisms for various relevant atmospheric chemicals (in smog and photo-smog chambers such as ESC-Q-UAIC, MICSAAC, mobile MICRO chamber etc.);
• undertake detailed chemical analysis with state-of-the-art mass spectrometric techniques (SIFT, PTR-ToF 4000, PTR-ToF 6000 X2, GC-MS ISQ, HPLC-MS Orbitrap etc.);
• investigate to some extent also atmospheric (bio)aerosols in the region.

Some of the current interest research subjects of the atmospheric chemistry division research team from RECENT AIR include (but not limited to):

• conducting investigations with a mobile isobaric chamber for real-time online characterization of aerosol emission sources and investigation of the secondary organic aerosol formation processes at trace and ultra-trace levels, under natural or artificial light (PRO-TRACE-01 existent within the RA-01 unit), at one selected urban, rural, mountain or marine area: MICROcharT-X;
• developing and validating a protocol for qualifying the measurements performed as surface observations with the mobile platform (PRO-TRACE-02 existent within the RA-01 unit), which allows simultaneously to use various techniques such as to measure several chemical parameters (O3, NO, NO2, NOx, CO, H2S, SO2, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, total non-methane hydrocarbons, methane), and useful segregated particulate matter (4 fractions), in the ambient air of one selected urban, rural, mountain or marine area, SOMPTUOUS;
• integrating and developing test experiments with suitable measurement techniques in the Medium Isobaric Chamber for the Simulation and Analysis of Atmospheric Chemistry (MICSAAC of about 10 m3, existent at the RA-01 unit, equipped with two sets of irradiation lamps: 48 UV-A actinic lamps and 48 UV-C germicidal lamps, evenly distributed over the sides of the chamber), TEST-MICSAAC.

We particularly welcome candidates with strong backgrounds in atmospheric chemistry, gas-phase reactivity and modelling and computational chemistry (eventually). We encourage ambitious, hypothesis-driven projects combining experimental, field and/or computational approaches. Moreover, the candidates are expected to develop research subjects focusing on the study of the tropospheric chemistry and its related components specific either for urban, rural or remote areas (mountain), while looking also for various important atmospheric chemistry driven species (e.g., either aerosols or gaseous phase). Proposals combining properties, dynamics, reactivity, impacts in connection with in situ observations, remote sensing and modelling might be successful.

The candidates should have skills to combine in their proposals any of the following challenging activities:

1. undertaking field measurements while operating specific instruments,
2. deploying, calibrating, and operating various monitors for gaseous compounds,
3. performing chemical speciation with state-of-the-art instrumental techniques,
4. investigating reactivity and degradation mechanisms for specific speciated chemicals,
5. ensuring and controlling the quality of the data from long-term monitoring campaigns,
6. performing evaluation and quantification of various chemical species,
7. evaluating the performance of the measurements with advanced statistical tools for data analysis and modelling,
8. processing in an integrated manner large, time-resolved datasets from field campaigns,
9. assigning sustainability and impact for the areas of interest,
10. disseminating as wide as possible the scientific data.

For any circumstances, the candidate should be open for collaboration with other experts from the RECENT AIR team and be determined to opt for regular presence at the hosting lab.

Other information for the candidates

General info

• The positions are open to researchers of any nationality.
• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree and have no more than 8 years of research experience after PhD completion.

Info’s related to the candidates

• PhD degree in chemistry, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental engineering or other related fields.
• Good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Wide-ranging understanding in aerosol and chemical physical measurement techniques with experience in deploying instrumentation both in the laboratory and in the field.
• Good scientific programming skills with experience in handling large data sets in various formats.
• Strong ability to plan and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Very good / good level of English language skills.
• Team working skills and openness for collaboration.
• Proficient in scientific communication (written/oral).
• A valid driving license is highly recommended.

Info’s related to the application procedure

• Applications should be sent to: carsene@uaic.ro, oromeo@uaic.ro by Friday, 31 July 2026, 23:59 (Romanian time)
• Please submit your application via e-mail with the specific subject “MSCA UAIC RECENT AIR Iasi”
• The candidates will be interviewed by both experts (Professor Arsene (ORCID: 0000-0001-8179-2633, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8179-2633) and Professor Olariu (ORCID: 0000-0003-1187-5526, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1187-5526) and notified by August 10th, 2026, in order to proceed asap with the proposal and the official MSCA application
• Shortlisted applicants will develop their MSCA proposal in collaboration with experts from the atmospheric chemistry division to ensure the complementarity with the host labs research goals

Eligibility criteria for applications

In the application please include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list and maximum 3 particularly relevant papers
• A brief outline of the proposed research project plan, describing how it aligns with the current host research team’s goals
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged

Job related info

• Temporary position with full-time contract for maximum 2 years
• The Job is not related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure
• Jobs funded under the EU Research Framework Programme Horizon Europe

1. HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01 - HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

or

2. HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01 - HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

contractual terms referring to funding for: salary (living and mobility allowances, family, long-term leave, and special needs allowances (if applicable)), research, training, and networking costs.

Welcome to apply

Discover more about the host and Iasi city by visiting the following web sites:

• https://www.uaic.ro/
• https://recent-air.uaic.ro/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ia%C8%99i

and find the curiosity of meeting enthusiasts and professional members from the atmospheric chemistry research division team at RECENT AIR.