PhD position: Isotopic characterization of methane source categories across Europe (1.0 FTE)

CH4 emissions are a major contributor to Europe’s global warming impact, but Europe’s CH4 emissions are not well quantified. Effective emission reduction can only be achieved if sources are properly quantified, and mitigation efforts are verified. Isotope information can help to identify and quantify emissions from different methane sources. The successful candidate will carry out isotope ratio measurements (δ13C and δD) on CH4 in order to 1) distinguish between different source categories and 2) obtain information on the spatial and temporal variability of isotopic source signatures of the main CH4 sources on the European scale. The position is part of the European Initial Training Network MEMO2 and the candidate will analyse samples collected within the network, which allows characterizing CH4 from similar source types at many different locations across Europe. In addition, the in-situ CH4 isotope instrument at Utrecht University will be deployed at three selected stations (Paris, London, Silesia) for several months of CH4 isotope monitoring. Data will be used to produce EU scale source signature maps for inventories that can be used for isotope modelling in collaboration with the network.