The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) is a federal research organization. Since its creation in 1964, its main tasks are research and public service in the field of space aeronomy, which includes the study of the physics and chemistry of the atmospheres of the Earth and other planets, and of outer space. BIRA-IASB scientists supported by a team of engineers design and operate experiments to monitor atmospheres and the space environment. They have also developed strong know-how in the exploitation of measurements and their geophysical interpretation using theoretical and numerical models. More information www.aeronomie.be

The research fellow will join the Infrared Observations team in the Sources and Sinks of Atmospheric Components department, at BIRA-IASB. The fellow will work alongside BIRA-IASB scientists responsible for the retrieval of atmospheric aerosols/gases from satellites observing the Earth in the (thermal) infrared spectral range. They will also have the opportunity to interact with RMI (Royal Meteorology Institute) scientists from the Atmospheric Composition, Measurements and Modelling team. They will interact with Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) scientists and aerosol forecast experts in different centers, mostly but not exclusively in EUMETSAT member states and at the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). Obviously, the fellow will also be in contact with EUMETSAT within the context of the EUMETSAT fellowship program.

The work will focus on expanding the mineral dust aerosols retrieval from the satellite low Earth orbit Metop/IASI instruments to the new geostationary MTG/IRS instrument. The fellow will be supported by strong experience in the team on the IASI retrievals (about 15 years), currently reaching the near-real-time (NRT) dissemination status using the European Weather Cloud (EWC) system. The work will include applied scientific research and interactions with the product ultimate users. The goal of the fellowship is to obtain a NRT dust profile product from the IRS instrument, and to help the uptake of the product by NWP centers.

• Engage with future users (e.g. NWP centers, ECMWF/CAMS, …) for a requirements analysis, and later on for product uptake support
• Take hands on the existing IASI algorithm, adapt to the IRS instrument, improve where possible, test on small data sets
• Explore the specific issue of the high viewing angles and how it impacts the retrieval / radiative transfer calculation, how to solve it if necessary

• Develop a dedicated cloud versus dust mask, using AI/ML, allowing to reject cloudy observations before running the retrieval, and if possible, to run only the retrieval on observations where dust is present (both for gaining computing time)
• Validate / compare the results with reference data and model outputs
• Implement a NRT processing chain on the EWC, relying on the experience in the team with the IASI NRT processing chain

Mandatory:

• University degree in Remote Sensing, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Sciences or another relevant/justified field with respect to the planned work
• Relevant research experience, preferably at PhD level
• Scientific programming experience
• Strong interpersonal and team working skills
• Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation
• High level of commitment and interest in continuing education/training
• Ability to work effectively in English, both verbally and written.

Assets:

Knowledge or experience in:

• radiative transfer modelling
• retrieval techniques
• ML/AI scientific use
• Python scientific programming
• Linux operating system