Background

Reliable modeling of cloud processes for weather predictions and climate change projections requires a sound understanding of the ice formation in mixed-phase clouds. Typically, ice particles form via heterogeneous freezing of supercooled cloud droplets containing ice nucleating particles (INPs). Ice crystal concentrations measured inside the clouds are often found to exceed the concentration of INPs by many orders of magnitude. To explain this discrepancy, the Secondary Ice Production (SIP) mechanisms, i.e., processes producing multiple ice particles upon freezing of a single cloud droplet or by fragmentation of existing ice particles, must be studied. In a DFG-funded collaborative project between the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK) and the Leibniz-Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, we are investigating two SIP mechanisms: rime-splintering and splintering of freezing droplets. These two SIP mechanisms have been suggested to be of particular relevance in the mixed-phase clouds.

Job Description

The successful candidate will:
- conduct laboratory experiments with the new experimental setup, the Ice Droplet splintEring and Fragmentation eXperiment (IDEFIX),

- participate in experiments on identification of the physical mechanisms of rime-splintering SIP events together with the leading scientists at TROPOS,

- contribute to parameterization development for both SIP mechanisms and

- take part in the measuring campaign investigating SIP in mix-phase clouds.

The parameterizations developed as a part of this PhD project will be applied for representation of SIP mechanisms in cloud microphysics resolving models.

Qualification

- M.Sc. degree or equivalent in physics, environmental physics, geophysics, or meteorology

- experimental skills and motivation to work in the lab

- good communication skills, fluent English language in writing and speaking