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- Tasks: Develop innovative indoor air quality models and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham, a leading global university with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days holiday, flexible working, and a supportive environment for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health and sustainability in housing through cutting-edge research.
- Qualifications: PhD or near completion in atmospheric science or related fields; strong modelling skills required.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and engage in exciting public outreach activities.
The predicted salary is between 36636 - 46049 £ per year.
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Part Time (18.75 hours to 22.5 hours per week)
Fixed Term contract up to February 2029
Closing date: 9 February 2026
We are recruiting a research associate to develop indoor air quality & air chemistry modelling approaches and apply these to the UK house scenarios, in support of the newly funded INHABIT hub.
The UKRI-NIHR INHABIT: “Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub” is a £7.3 million research hub with an overall aim of producing scientific evidence and policy-relevant solutions to realise the health co-benefits of the UK’s net zero transition in housing.
The holder of this post will work across two workstreams leading the development of the indoor air chemistry module for the housing stock model and contribute to indoor/outdoor air quality & chemistry modelling. The holder will be responsible for the modelling aspects relating to the indoor emissions inventory and the multi-box application of an existing model (MBM-Flex) based on INCHEM-Py to resolve inter-room variability in indoor air quality throughout buildings of any user-specified size and complexity.
Role Summary
The post holder will join the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, one of the leading research bases for Atmospheric Science in the UK.
Main Duties
- Indoor air quality & chemistry modelling
- Develop indoor air quality & chemistry modelling approaches
- Apply these modelling approaches to the UK housing stock using building archetypes
- Interface the MBM-Flex/INCHEM-Py based modelling with EnergyPlus modelling
- Contribute to indoor/outdoor air quality & chemistry modelling
- Maintain and update existing indoor emissions inventory and critically evaluate its output
Data analysis & presentation
- Create clean and integrate research datasets
- Perform initial model data analyses and validation
- Present and interpret research outputs for diverse audiences, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, and at seminars and as posters
Dissemination & stakeholder engagement
- Provide guidance as required to support researchers who may be assisting with or apply the model developments to relevant scenarios with focus on UK real-world conditions
- Present findings at Hub meetings, local‑authority workshops and public‑engagement events
- Contribute to capacity‑building activities (e.g. training on modelling tools)
General duties
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Assist with ethics/data‑sharing documentation
- Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture in line with university policies
Person Specification
An enthusiastic approach to air quality research, and interest in its application to indoor environments and health.
Skills
- Strong atmospheric or air pollution modelling skills are essential; previous experience with INCHEM-Py, or of comparable atmospheric chemical modelling systems, is desirable
- Strong time-management, planning and prioritising skills to meet deadlines are essential; this is an exciting and innovative delivery-focussed post
- Good technical communication skills are essential to report the model development
Qualifications
- Will have a PhD (or near to completion) in a research area relating to the numerical modelling of atmospheric chemistry and transport, chemistry-climate interactions, or meteorology, or equivalent background from other disciplines
- Undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Physics, Atmospheric Science, or closely related field
Knowledge And Experience
- Experience in, or as appropriate to career stage potential for, overseeing modelling projects to successful completion
- Experience, or as appropriate to career stage potential for, developing atmospheric chemistry-transport models (CTMs) or chemistry-climate models (CCMs) is a key asset; e.g., developing new parameterisations and/or restructuring models, as opposed to simply running them with different input datasets. Experience of indoor air quality modelling is not essential
- Ability to work semi-independently, take initiative but know when to seek advice to avoid ‘unpicking’ later; good communication skills are desirable
In addition to a PhD (or near to completion) in atmospheric science, meteorology, or similar, applicants may have post-doctoral experience demonstrating the attributes above.
Informal enquiries to Christian Pfrang, email: c.pfrang@bham.ac.uk and William Bloss, email: w.j.bloss@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life.
Indoor Air Quality & Chemistry Model Developer - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental S[...] in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
Contact Detail:
University of Birmingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Indoor Air Quality & Chemistry Model Developer - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental S[...] in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the University of Birmingham. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and research. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in indoor air quality and chemistry modelling, making you stand out to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to your field. Think about how your experience aligns with the role at the University of Birmingham. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our job postings regularly; new opportunities pop up all the time that could be perfect for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Indoor Air Quality & Chemistry Model Developer - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental S[...] in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the role, so don’t be afraid to express your unique style and perspective.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for this specific role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially your expertise in air quality and chemistry modelling.
Showcase Your Passion: We love candidates who are enthusiastic about their field! Share your passion for indoor air quality research and how it connects to health and environmental issues. This will help us see your commitment to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your atmospheric chemistry and air quality modelling skills. Familiarise yourself with INCHEM-Py and MBM-Flex, as these are key components of the role. Being able to discuss your previous experience and how it relates to the job will show that you're genuinely interested and knowledgeable.
✨Show Your Enthusiasm
The University of Birmingham values passion for air quality research, so don’t hold back! Share your enthusiasm for indoor environments and health during the interview. Talk about any relevant projects or experiences that sparked your interest in this field.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to atmospheric modelling and data analysis. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and apply your knowledge effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Engagement
Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you would approach communication and collaboration. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with different groups, and be ready to share your ideas on how to present findings to diverse audiences.
