Open Positions

HALO SPP 1294 and HALO major instrumentation initiative related vacancies can be announced here, please contact anja.schwarz[at]uni-leipzig.de.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1 November 2026!

The Atmospheric Water Cycle and Remote Sensing group of the Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology at the University of Cologne invites applications for a 

Postdoctoral position on microwave radiometry of clouds on the HALO research aircraft.

The successful candidate will be part of the TOPAICC project onboard the research aircraft HALO:
The project "Submillimeter radiometry: Towards a pan-Arctic ice cloud climatology (TOPAICC)" investigates Arctic ice clouds and their role in airmass transformation and the polar energy budget using novel submillimeter radiometry aboard the HALO aircraft. During two Arctic HALO campaigns, the new HAMPng-SMR instrument will operate alongside radars, lidar, and microwave radiometers to observe ice clouds and atmospheric humidity. TOPAICC will develop retrievals of ice water path and related cloud properties, evaluate their representation in the ICON model, and assess merging satellite observations from ICI and AWS. The resulting benchmark observations will support satellite retrieval validation and the development of long-term pan-Arctic ice cloud climatologies.

The position is for a fixed term until 31 July 2030.

YOUR TASKS

• As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will play a central role in the scientific implementation of TOPAICC. Your work will span airborne observations, radiative transfer, retrieval development, atmospheric modelling, and satellite remote sensing. In particular, you will:
• Prepare and participate in the two Arctic airborne campaigns CONIDA-Night (winter 2028) and CONIDA-Day (summer 2029) from Kiruna, Sweden.
• Participate in the HALO research flights, including scientific flight planning, instrument calibration and operation, and data preparation.
• Develop realistic training datasets using PAMTRA radiative transfer forward and ICON simulations.
• Develop and evaluate retrieval methods for ice cloud properties and water vapour based on statistical and machine-learning approaches.
• Exploit synergies between submillimeter and millimeter radiometry, cloud radars, and lidar to characterize retrieval uncertainties and establish benchmark datasets.
• Investigate cloud-phase transitions during Arctic airmass transformation and evaluate their representation in ICON.
• Compare airborne with current satellite observations, particularly from ICI, AWS, PolSIR, and EarthCARE.
• Investigate spatial-resolution and satellite-footprint effects and their implications for satellite IWP retrievals and Arctic ice-cloud climatologies.
• Publish high-quality datasets according to FAIR principles and disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.
• Collaborate closely with scientists within the CONIDA consortium and with national and international partners in atmospheric remote sensing and modelling.

YOUR PROFILE
We are looking for a motivated researcher with a strong interest in atmospheric observations, remote sensing, and cloud processes. Ideally, you have:

• A PhD in atmospheric science, meteorology, physics, geophysics, remote sensing, or a closely related field.
• Experience with microwave/submillimeter remote sensing, cloud observations, radiative transfer, or atmospheric modelling.
• Experience in atmospheric field campaigns, including instrument operation, campaign preparation, data acquisition, and/or quality control; experience with airborne research campaigns is particularly advantageous.
• Strong programming and scientific data-analysis skills, preferably in Python.
• Experience with radiative-transfer models, numerical weather or climate models, or satellite data is advantageous.
• An interest in developing and applying retrieval and machine-learning methods to atmospheric observations.
• Willingness to participate actively in airborne field campaigns, including campaign preparation, participation in research flights, instrument operation, flight planning, and subsequent data analysis is mandatory.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a large international research team.
• Good scientific communication skills and English language proficiency.

Candidates who wish to receive further details about the position are welcome to contact Dr. Mario Mech per email (mario.mech@uni-koeln.de).

flyer_PostDoc_CONIDA_UCologne.pdf (621.0KB)

flyer_PostDoc_CONIDA_UCologne.pdf (621.0KB)

More infos can be found here: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de/ausschreibung/renderFile/2751?propertyName=flyer

Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications without a photo under: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de/bewerben/2751. The reference number is Wiss2609-13. The application deadline is 1 November 2026.