PhD position in assessing the value of Lidar data in enhancing aviation safety in Iceland

Háskólinn í Reykjavík | Reykjavik University (RU) & Veðurstofa Íslands | Icelandic Met Office (IMO)Starting date: September 2015

In the framework of a joint aviation safety project the IMO and RU are seeking a visionary and dynamic individual to investigate the value of Lidar data in enhancing aviation safety in Iceland. The successful candidate will work with data from two lidar systems (Windcube WLS 200s, LEOSPHERE), a stationary lidar system at Keflavík International Airport and a mobile lidar system.

The candidate will perform innovative research, publish the results in international journals and present findings to the national airnavigation service provider ISAVIA.ObjectiveThe objective of this project is to enhance aviation safety in Iceland by implementing the use of scanning Doppler Lidar observations as a part of the meteorological observational system.

Lidar is a remote sensing technology that measures the distance of suspended particles and assesses their optical properties by illuminating them with pulses of light from a laser and analyzing the backscattered light. 

TasksIn order to achieve this objective the project is divided into three working tasks: i) investigations of the thickness of the boundary layer, turbulence and wind shear in the lower troposphere at Keflavík airport by comparing Lidar data with conventional weather observations, ii) identification of particle properties for aerosols from different sources (e.g. volcanic ash, soil re-suspension, sea spray) using Lidar data and iii) a conclusive synthesis of the enhancement of aviation safety in Iceland using a mobile and a stationary Lidar to complement conventional weather observations. 

Qualifications M.Sc. degree in relevant field of science, demonstration of capability for further graduate studies. 

Remuneration: according to national standards (ca. 2360 euro / mo)Further information: Dr. Sibylle von Löwis, sibylle@vedur.is (at IMO); Asst. Prof. David Finger,davidf@ru.is (at RU)In order to apply please send e-mail to davidf@ru.is. (incl. letter of motivation, CV, tran