Bioaerosols and freezing clouds

Bioaerosols are aerosol particles of biological origin, such as pollen grains, viruses, bacteria, etc. Although the number of these particles in the atmosphere is marginal, they can have a key impact not only on our health (allergies), but also on the formation of ice in clouds.

The proposed work will investigate the number of concentrations of different types of bioaerosols in the atmosphere and their ability to form ice nuclei. This will be carried out using both a novel bioaerosol sensor and a novel portable ice expansion chamber, which is designed to study the number concentrations of ice nuclei in the atmosphere at different sub-zero temperatures.

Required education and skills

• University degree (Ing. Mgr.) in environmental sciences, meteorology, chemical engineering, physical chemistry, chemical physics, etc.
• willingness to do experimental work and learn new things;
• ability to work as part of a team.

Co-supervisors: RNDr. Naděžda Zíková, Ph.D., RNDr. Petra Pokorná, Ph.D.