The Cyprus Institute

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a European non-profit Science and Technology oriented Educational and Research Institution based in Cyprus and led by an acclaimed Board of Trustees. The research agenda of the CyI is pursued at its five Research Centres: The Computation-based Science and Technology Research Centre (CaSToRC), the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre (STARC), the Energy Environment Water Research Centre (EEWRC), the Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C), and the Science and Technology Driven Policy and Innovation Research Centre (STeDI-RC). Considerable cross-centre interaction is a characteristic of the Institute’s culture.

Homepage: https://www.cyi.ac.cy/

Purpose of the Position
The Cyprus Institute invites applications for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join the Institute as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences. The successful candidate will be dedicated to exploring the role of trace gases in the air quality of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region. This region’s air quality is one of the least studied globally and is characterized by high pollutant levels, numerous emission sources and intense photochemistry. The selected candidate will engage research at the land-atmosphere interface, focusing on the emission sources and atmospheric processes of reactive trace gases across various environments. Significant emphasis will be placed on quantifying the role of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), so the ideal candidate will have expertise in operating complex instrumentation (such as PTR-ToF-MS, GC-FID, gas analysers) and a profound interest in Atmospheric Sciences. This position is an integral part of the Environmental Observations Department (EOD) and includes participation in field campaigns, offering the opportunity to contribute to related research and innovation in various atmospheric sciences topics. Given the department’s extensive research capabilities, the candidate will have the opportunity to focus their research efforts on a variety of VOC-related topics, ranging from environmental stresses on vegetation and urban emissions to atmospheric chemistry and their broader implications for the Earth’s system.

Position Environment
The Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (CARE-C) at The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a newly established Center of Excellence (CoE) aiming to conduct pioneering research in the EMME region. The advertised position is supported by the EU-H2020 “EMME-CARE” project (http://emme-care.cyi.ac.cy/; TEAMING Grant no. 856612), in collaboration with leading EU partners (Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany; University of Helsinki, Finland; and CEA, France). CARE-C is part of the broader academic ecosystem at CyI, which promotes cross-centre collaboration and interaction, characteristic of the Institute’s innovative culture. Generally, CyI is recognized as a premier non-profit educational and research institution in Europe, with a commitment to advancing science and technology across its diverse research centers.

Career Perspectives
This position is offered on a full-time basis for one year, with the potential for renewal and opportunities for advancement based on performance. Candidates will find exceptional development opportunities, including access to state-of-the-art facilities and the chance to work alongside international experts. This role is designed for highly motivated individuals eager to make a mark in the field of environmental observations and atmospheric sciences, offering a pathway to professional growth and the opportunity to contribute to impactful research addressing global environmental challenges.

Responsibilities/activities to be involved in:
1. Instrument operation and fieldwork
2. Responsible for the operation of a Proton Transfer Reaction – Time of Flight – Mass Spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) in the laboratory and in the field
3. Analysis of complex datasets using advanced software tools
4. Perform research related to the emissions and atmospheric chemistry of VOCs
5. Contribute to publications and research outputs at various levels, including academic, public, and policy-related
6. Active participation in regional and international networking, including attendance at national and international conferences
7. Supervision, mentoring, and guidance of Research Assistants and students

Required Qualifications
1. PhD in Atmospheric or Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or related field.
2. Authored/co-authored at least three peer-reviewed publications.
3. Lecturing experience will be considered as a plus.
4. Hands-on experience in Mass Spectrometry or Gas Chromatography.
5. Good programming skills (Python, Matlab, R).
6. 3-year experience including PhD studies.
7. Participation in field campaigns.
8. Strong analytical and organizational skills.
9. Excellent knowledge of English, both verbal and writing.
10. High interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
11. Willingness to travel and spend time in campaigns and in Partner Organizations.
12. Willingness to participate in the educational programs of the Institute.

Application
For full consideration, interested applicants should process their application at The Cyprus Institute Exelsys Platform (https://bit.ly/3HDLRTw) based on the instructions given. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae including a short letter of interest, a vision statement, list of publications and a list of three (3) referees (including contact information) (all documentation should be in English and in PDF Format). For further information, please contact Dr Efstratios Bourtsoukidis (e.bourtsoukidis@cyi.ac.cy). Please note that applications which do not fulfill the required qualifications and do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.
Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.
The Cyprus Institute is an Equal Opportunities Employer certified from the Cypriot Ministry of Labor and also an HRS4R accredited Institution that adheres to the European Commission’s “Charter & Code” principles for recruitment and selection.

Contact person: Efstratios Bourtsoukidis (e.bourtsoukidis@cyi.ac.cy)
Reference number: CARE-C_PDF_24_04