"Research Assistant or Associate in Atmospheric Simulation of Solar Radiation Modification"

Imperial College London - Department of Aeronautics

Placed On: 9th March 2026
Closes: 5th April 2026
Job Ref: ENG03828

Location: South Kensington campus

About the role:

Applications are invited for a fully funded fixed-term position at the Research Assistant/Associate (PostDoc) level in simulating the atmospheric response to solar radiation modification.

With global temperatures projected to exceed 2C above preindustrial and carbon emissions still growing, there is increasing concern that solar radiation modification (SRM) may be deployed to counteract harmful effects of climate change. However the impacts of SRM on (eg) monsoons, extreme weather, and air quality are poorly understood. We seek to develop and apply atmospheric models (e.g. GCMs and CTMs) to better understand the potential risks of such measures.

What you would be doing:

You will join a multi-institution effort to better understand the potential impacts of solar geoengineering, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). You will develop a nuanced understanding of the response of critical Earth systems to different SRM scenarios, focusing on the degree to which air quality controllability might be affected by SRM using chemistry-climate and chemistry-transport model simulations. You will investigate how an enhanced stratospheric aerosol layer might change the response of regional and global air quality to surface emissions, with a focus on cross-boundary pollution. Your work will be coordinated as part of a dedicated team of researchers across Imperial (in Physics and Aeronautics), along with a larger multinational effort. You will also engage with a team at the University of Leeds to translate your research for policy-oriented discussion and strategy workshops, exploring the global implications of SRM research.

What we are looking for:

Research Associate: PhD in atmospheric science or physics, civil and environmental or aerospace engineering, or a closely related discipline*

Research Assistant: A first/masters degree (or equivalent) in atmospheric science or physics, civil and environmental or aerospace engineering, or a closely related discipline

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

• Expertise in atmospheric physics and chemistry
• Enthusiasm for coding of complex atmospheric models
• Create problem-solving skills and ability to work independently

*Candidates with a PhD in other disciplines may be eligible if they can demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and deep expertise computational model development. Candidates who have not yet acquired their PhD would be appointed at the Research Assistant level.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to advance our understanding of, and ability to mitigate, climate change
• The opportunity to interact with experts from Imperial, Leeds, Exeter, Bristol, and the US in both engineering and atmospheric science
• Access to a state-of-the-art, high performance computing cluster
• You would join the Aerospace Environmental Impacts Simulation (AEIS) group
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

We are hoping that the successful candidate will start their contract immediately, or as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be supervised in the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London. *If you require any further details please contact Dr. Sebastian Eastham s.eastham@imperial.ac.uk*.