NOAA Measurements of Halocarbons for Studying Global Atmospheric Processes and the Effectiveness of International Environmental Policy
NOAA measures atmospheric halocarbons globally to study atmospheric processes, assess environmental policy effectiveness (e.g., Montreal Protocol), and address related scientific questions.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $70,000 plus $4,000 travel allowance; stipend increases with experience; typical award duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers to conduct halocarbon atmospheric measurements at NOAA, addressing global atmospheric processes and evaluating international environmental policies like the Montreal Protocol.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens; requires contacting NOAA Research Adviser prior to applying; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focuses on precise and ongoing measurements of over 25 halocarbons, hydrocarbons, and sulfur-containing compounds across global and North American networks. The research aims to provide critical insights into global atmospheric chemistry, the destruction and recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer, and the radiative effects of these gases on climate.
The data collected supports evaluation of international environmental agreements such as the Montreal Protocol and the Kyoto Protocol by addressing key policy-relevant questions, including:
- Effectiveness and sufficiency of amendments to the Montreal Protocol in saving the ozone layer.
- Timeline and factors influencing ozone layer recovery.
- Climate impacts of ozone-depleting substances and their replacements.
- Causes of observed increases or decreases in atmospheric trace gases.
- Changes in emissions of ozone-depleting gases and their replacements over recent years.
Scientific questions addressed include the atmosphere’s pollutant cleansing capacity, natural emission processes, the use of carbonyl sulfide as a photosynthesis metric, and methods to infer regional trace gas emissions from surface and vertical profile measurements.
Applicants are encouraged to develop new sample analysis techniques, data processing tools, and apply mathematical methods such as inverse modeling and correlation analysis to interpret the data.
The research is conducted at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratories, Global Monitoring Laboratory in Boulder, CO, utilizing three sampling networks: approximately 15 remote global background sites, seven tall towers across North America, and over 12 aircraft profiling locations.
