Ilse Aben

This PhD position at the Space Research Organization Netherlands (SRON) offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to climate research by advancing the detection and analysis of methane emissions using cutting-edge satellite data. SRON is a leading institute in space research, renowned for its development and use of Earth observation instruments such as TROPOMI, SPEX-One, and TANGO. The successful candidate will join the Earth Science Group (ESG), a dynamic team of approximately 40 scientists engaged in satellite data processing, atmospheric modelling, and instrumentation development. The project focuses on improving the detection, monitoring, and understanding of large methane emissions from point sources worldwide. Methane is a critical greenhouse gas, responsible for about a third of global warming, and reducing its emissions is vital for mitigating climate change. The research will utilize data from the recently launched Japanese GOSAT-GW TANSO-3 instrument, which offers high-resolution (up to 1 km) global methane observations. The candidate will further develop and adapt machine learning-based plume detection algorithms, originally designed for TROPOMI, to analyze both global and local emission sources, including urban areas and oil and gas fields. This work is part of SRON's contribution to the UN’s International Methane Emission Observatory (IMEO) Methane Alert Response System (MARS), supporting international agreements such as the Global Methane Pledge and the Paris Agreement. The research aims to provide actionable insights for companies and governments to reduce emissions and meet climate targets. The candidate will also enroll in the SENSE Research School at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as part of their PhD program, benefiting from interdisciplinary training and collaboration. SRON offers a full-time PhD position employed by NWO-I, initially for 18 months and extendable to 4 years upon satisfactory performance. The salary starts at €3,115 in the first year and rises to €3,989 in the fourth year. Additional benefits include compensation for commuting expenses, an end-of-year bonus (8.33%), holiday allowance (8%), 42 days of vacation leave, an excellent pension scheme, parental leave facilities, ample training opportunities, and flexible working hours. SRON values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including minorities, persons with disabilities, and dual-academic-career hires. Applicants should hold an MSc degree in (atmospheric) physics or a related field, possess strong programming skills, and ideally have experience with machine learning and atmospheric observations. Good English language proficiency and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential. Applications must be submitted via the SRON website by February 15, 2026. For further information, candidates may contact Prof.Dr. Ilse Aben or Dr. Bram Maasakkers via email. Online interviews and screening may be part of the selection process. SRON’s mission is to achieve breakthroughs in international scientific research from space, developing advanced technology and promoting societal applications for space instruments. The institute collaborates with leading international partners and space agencies, including ESA, NASA, and JAXA, and maintains strong ties with Dutch universities and governmental agencies. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to world-leading research in environmental science, Earth observation, and climate mitigation.

SRON - Space Research Organization Netherlands is seeking a postdoctoral atmospheric scientist to join its Earth Science Group (ESG) in Leiden. The successful candidate will contribute to the ESA MEDUSA project, focusing on the validation, intercomparison, and quantification of methane emissions using satellite data from instruments such as TROPOMI, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, PRISMA, EMIT, EnMAP, VIIRS, and GHGSat. The role involves analyzing global methane emissions, particularly from large super-emitters, and improving quantification methods and uncertainty assessments through atmospheric modeling. The position is embedded in a dynamic team of approximately 15 scientists within the ESG, which comprises about 35 researchers working on satellite data interpretation, data processing, and instrument development. SRON is a leading institute in space research, with a strong international reputation and partnerships with ESA, NASA, and JAXA. The postdoctoral appointment is full-time for two years, with the possibility of a two-year extension, and offers a competitive salary (up to €5,468 gross per month), generous vacation and leave policies, pension, and professional development opportunities. Applicants must have a PhD in atmospheric sciences or a related field, experience with transport models and atmospheric observations, strong programming and data analytics skills, and excellent English proficiency. Experience with methane research and flux inversions is advantageous. The position supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements and values diversity and inclusion. Applications are accepted via the SRON website, and further information can be obtained from Prof. dr. Ilse Aben or Dr. Bram Maasakkers. The successful candidate will present research to stakeholders, at conferences, and in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to high-impact climate policy and mitigation efforts.

Post-Doc in Atmospheric Science and Machine Learning at SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands This postdoctoral opening is part of the newly funded COGNITO project, which focuses on carbon monoxide (CO) emission detection, source identification, and emission quantification using TROPOMI satellite observations, with possible support from Sentinel-5 . The project aims to build the first global satellite-based system for detecting and quantifying CO emissions from major urban areas and industrial facilities, especially the iron and steel sector. The successful candidate will join the Earth Science Group (ESG) at SRON, a team of around 40 scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students working on satellite observation interpretation, atmospheric modelling, data science, and future Earth observation missions. The research environment is strongly interdisciplinary, combining atmospheric science , machine learning , satellite remote sensing , and climate policy . Key tasks include applying machine learning algorithms to detect CO plumes in global satellite data, building a global catalogue of CO emission events from 2018 onward, quantifying emissions from cities and iron and steel facilities, evaluating temporal variability and decarbonization signals, assessing quantification tools with atmospheric transport modelling, and comparing satellite-derived emissions with bottom-up inventories and reporting systems. Applicants should hold a PhD in atmospheric sciences or a similar field , have experience with atmospheric observations and machine learning, and possess strong programming and data analytics skills. Experience with atmospheric CO, transport modelling, or flux inversions is an advantage. Excellent English communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are required. The position is full-time for two years with a possible two-year extension . Salary is according to NWO salary scale 10 , up to €5,758 gross per month on a full-time basis, plus benefits such as holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension, commuting compensation, training, and flexible working hours. Applications are submitted via the SRON website. The first selection deadline is 2026-09-01 , after which the vacancy remains open until filled.

SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands is offering a postdoctoral position for an Atmospheric Scientist in Leiden, The Netherlands, focused on satellite-based methane research and atmospheric interpretation. The successful candidate will join SRON’s Earth Science Group, a team of scientists working on satellite data interpretation, data processing, and the development of new instrumentation. The project centres on reducing methane emissions, one of the priorities of global climate policy. SRON plays a key role in this area as co-Principal Investigator Institute for TROPOMI, a Dutch satellite instrument launched with ESA. The work will use TROPOMI and other satellite datasets, including GHGSat, Sentinel-2, EnMAP, VIIRS, and Sentinel-3, to identify large methane hot spots, quantify emissions, and support mitigation efforts for super-emitters around the world. Research activities include emission quantification, monitoring of emissions, methodological improvements, and deeper studies using inverse modelling for priority sources such as open-pit coal mines. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the IMEO Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) team at UNEP, giving the work strong international policy relevance and real-world impact. The team develops methods to detect and identify sources and quantify emissions of trace gases using satellite data alongside atmospheric modelling. The role also includes presenting results to stakeholders and scientific conferences, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Applicants should have a PhD in atmospheric sciences or a related field, with experience interpreting atmospheric observations such as satellite or aircraft measurements using transport models. Strong programming and data analytics skills are expected. Experience with atmospheric methane and flux inversions is an advantage, and excellent English communication skills are required. This is a full-time position for two years, with the possibility of a two-year extension. The appointment is based in Leiden and is employed through NWO-I. Salary depends on experience and education and will not exceed €5758 gross per month. The benefits package includes an end-of-year bonus, holiday allowance, pension scheme, commuting compensation, training opportunities, parental leave support, flexible working hours, and personal development options. Applications should be submitted online via the SRON vacancy portal. Applications submitted before 25 July 2026 will receive priority, and the vacancy will remain open until filled.