Research in Atmospheric Sciences

Atmospheric Sciences lie at the heart of mankind’s interaction with the environment, and there has never been a more pressing need for research in this area. Problems like air pollution, global warming, energy production and severe weather are constantly in the news, and require detailed and thorough research if solutions are to be found. The Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at Manchester has a leading international reputation in areas like cloud physics, aerosols and pollution, atmospheric chemistry and atmospheric dynamics. We offer a vibrant research culture and world-class facilities to potential PhD students.

Measurements lie at the heart of our science - in the laboratory, in the field and through remote sensing. By participating in national and international field campaigns, developing new measurements and theories, and challenging large-scale models with detailed measurements, we advance our understanding of key atmospheric processes and are able to offer solutions to real-life problems.

We have an extensive range of instrumentation used to study greenhouse gases, reactive trace gases, atmospheric particles and meteorological parameters. These are deployed on a range of platforms, e.g. the NERC FAAM aircraft, small UAVs, ground-based and ship-borne facilities, and in the laboratory using our large experimental ice cloud and aerosol chambers. We also develop and use active remote sensing such as lidar and radar for studies of atmospheric composition and meteorology.

To interpret our measurements we develop and use a range of numerical models, extending from detailed representations of chemical reactions to large-scale community models such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. We also use the models in their own right in studies of air quality, atmospheric dynamics and severe weather amongst other topics.