Please provide a description of the research topic (maximum 1500 characters including spaces).Atmospheric aerosols have large impact on air quality, human health, weather and climate, with important societal implications. Regarding its impact on air quality, both the chemical composition and the size of aerosols is critical, with smaller particles showing a larger potential to give severe health effects, particularly in cities where most of world’s population resides. To improve our understanding of the role of potential sources of nanoparticles in urban areas, specific experimental measurements are needed, featuring instruments for the detection of nanoparticles at a fine size and time resolution. The project will focus on new particle formation (NPF) processes in a pilot urban area, based on a wide set of cutting edge aerosol analysers deployed in a collaborative effort along with the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate of the National Research Council. The activity will start with a literature review to gain an up-to-date view on this topic, on the observational methods and the most suitable data analysis tools. The main expected activities are: – assuring the experimental monitoring of nanoparticles size distribution – analysing the data collected from these and ancillary observations. The expected results are: – the correlation of NPF to aerosol properties, gas precursors and meteorology – an assessment of the role of NPF on urban nanoparticles for the pilot area – the delivery of this research at International conferences and on high impact journals.

The candidate is expected to have a solid background in physics, math, earth/environmental sciences or related disciplines, as well as experience in the analysis of observational data and/or numerical simulations. A training in atmospheric chemistry/physics, data analysis and atmospheric modelling are considered an asset.

The main hub of the research activities will be the LARMA Lab of the Dept. of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari” (www.larma.unimore.it). The group includes scientists with skills on remote sensing, atmospheric modelling and monitoring by regulatory and non-regulatory devices. The team includes 10 members among professors, research technicians, postdoc and PhD students. The lab has International collaborations in Europe with several partners of the ACTRIS and ICOS Infrastructures and collaborates with the local Environmental Agency and the municipality of Modena. The team is also in charge of the Geophysical Observatory of Modena (www.ossgeo.unimore.it) and of the local AERONET sun photometer.