Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Cloud Brightening

The Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences. We offer educational programmes at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels. Our research addresses fundamental questions concerning the dynamics, physics, chemistry and biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and ocean relevant for weather and climate. We study questions originating from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere and from the tropics to the poles. In this effort, we use and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. We also develop and lead observational research using satellite and surface-based measurements, including icebreaker expeditions to the Arctic.

MISU is embedded in a larger research environment including the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, the Baltic Sea Centre, and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre. The department is highly international, with over half our employees coming from outside Sweden. For more information about us, please visit the Department of Meteorology's website.

Project description

Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) is a method for deliberate climate intervention, to temporarily dampen the ongoing global warming. It aims to make clouds more reflective and thereby more cooling, by adding sea salt aerosols. Although it is known that more aerosol particles lead to more smaller droplets, and greater reflection, aerosol-cloud interactions are associated with large uncertainties.

To realistically evaluate MCB and its potentials and risks, there is a need for better basic knowledge about aerosol influence on cloud properties, and how this in turn affects radiation, temperature and circulation. At the same time, it is necessary to consider ethical and societal perspectives of MCB as a form of climate intervention, e.g. in how to assess benefits and risks, when they are both uncertain and unevenly distributed among nations and generations.

This project is interdisciplinary, addressing physical, ethical and socio-political aspects of MCB, to support a general assessment of its feasibility.

Main responsibilities

You will work primarily with global climate modelling, and analysis of satellite data, to evaluate to what degree natural experiments and model simulations can provide knowledge on deliberate climate intervention, and to survey risks and benefits of potential implementation strategies against different climate change scenarios. The natural science questions, design of simulations, and analysis of results will be guided by questions of ethics and policy. The work will be done in collaboration with researchers in philosophy and political science, who are also part of the team. Within the framework of the project you will be expected to take independent initiative regarding analysis and inquiries and you will be part of a research group where you will also get a chance to contribute to advising of a PhD student.

Qualification requirements

In order to qualify for a Postdoctoral position, applicants are required to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent relevant degree from another country. The degree must have been completed no later than when the employment decision is made.

Assessment criteria

It is considered an advantage if the doctoral degree or an equivalent degree was completed no more than three years prior to the application deadline. Under special circumstances, an older degree may also be an advantage. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

The doctoral degree must be in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, oceanography or a related field. In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills within the area of the employment. In addition, analytical ability, creativity, initiative, independence and collaboration skills will be considered. An excellent command of written and spoken English is also required.

About the employment

The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2027-01-01 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Professor Frida Bender, frida.bender@misu.su.se.

For information about the recruitment process and terms of employment, please contact Head of Administration Sara Engström, sara.engstrom@misu.su.se.

Application

Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

We ask that you please refrain from submitting a completely AI-generated application.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: SU FV-2916-26 | Facklig företrädare: ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Seko Seko 0770457900, Seko Seko 0770457900, | Publicerat: 2026-09-10 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-10-01