We are hiring!

MSCA-DN  GRAIL 2+1 Positions (deadline May, 24th, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET)

Gamma Radiation from the Atmosphere for Investigation and Learning

The objective of GRAIL is to study high-energy phenomena emitted from thunderstorms as well as their effect on nature and technology.

https://grail.physik.tu-dortmund.de

Position 1: Doctoral Position at the UPC Lightning Research Group: Aircraft Interferometry

The main objective of this project is to investigate broadband (VHF and higher) radio emissions from lightning and other electrical breakdown processes in thunderstorms, with the ultimate goal of designing an unprecedented broadband digital interferometer (DINTF) for airborne applications. The candidate will participate in high-voltage laboratory experiments and field campaigns. The project will be done in close collaboration with Duke University including the ENLIGHTEN field campaign by deploying an interferometer onboard a stratospheric aircraft.

                     Download: Position brochure

                     Euraxess link:  https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/419204

                     Link to application form:  https://forms.gle/A97adzK9r4aTRF2YA

Position 2: Doctoral Position at the UPC Lightning Research Group: Thunderstorm electrification and high energy radiation

The main objective of this project is to investigate how thunderstorm electrification influences the production of atmospheric high-energy emissions. The candidate will model lightning leaders depending on realistic thunderstorm charge environment derived from UPC’s Lightning Mapping Arrays data including data obtained during the ENLIGHTEN aircraft campaign.

                     Download: Position brochure

                     Euraxess link:  https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/422015

                     Link to application form:  https://forms.gle/xBV76bhre8dGGE2C6

Position 3: Doctoral Position at DENA: Research on high voltage laboratory radio and high energy emissions

The aim of this project is to investigate radio-frequency (RF) emissions associated with high-energy (HE) processes in electrical discharges, with a particular focus on atmospheric phenomena such as TGFs, FGFs, and GRGs. The research will be based on experimental studies of meter-scale high-voltage sparks using a dedicated setup capable of simultaneously measuring HE and RF emissions across a broad electromagnetic spectrum. Atmospheric conditions will be reproduced by adjusting air density to simulate altitude-dependent effects. The goal is to identify RF signatures associated with high-energy emissions, analyze their temporal and spectral correlations, and evaluate their detectability. Special focus will be placed on advancing RF techniques through the design and development of a dedicated RF antenna to investigate emissions from high-energy atmospheric phenomena in future aerospace missions.

                     Euraxess link: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/421599