Specialist – Air Quality Monitoring and Analysis — School of Environment and Sustainability (SES)

About the School of Environment and Sustainability (SES)

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SES) at IIHS and its Long-term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO), the first such mega-city observatory in the world, focus on the sustainable transformation of diverse human settlements and the social-ecological-technical systems they are part of in the face of global change, especially urbanisation and climate change. The SES and LTUEO work on cutting-edge scholarship and knowledge, education, and practice focused on solutions to wicked and complex environmental and sustainability problems within the context of a rapidly urbanising India.

The IIHS Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO) is an interdisciplinary centre of excellence in the Global South, that is generating new knowledge, developing nature-based solutions and strengthening human capacity at the interface of urban ecological science, sustainability science and climate science, using state-of-the-art technologies, monitoring systems and innovative experiments.

The Environmental Lab is a part of the LTUEO at the IIHS Kengeri campus, within the School of Environment and Sustainability.

Job Description

The Environmental Lab at IIHS is seeking an experienced Air Quality Monitoring and Analysis specialist to support its environmental research and management initiatives. The role combines hands-on work with monitoring stations, analytical instrument, and data interpretation, along with responsibilities in teaching and communication.

This role will require significant time on the IIHS Kengeri Campus, along with providing support, as needed, to other IIHS projects under the SES in different locations.

This is a contractual engagement for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent and based on performance, and with the potential to turn into a regular position over time.

Activities and Tasks

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Setting up and operating ambient air quality monitoring stations, both manual and automated including low-cost sensor systems;
• Collecting, processing and analysing the ambient air and source emission samples at regular intervals as a part of the campus environmental monitoring system and at other locations, as needed, and coordinating with external laboratories for advanced chemical analysis;
• Ensuring data accuracy, instrument calibration, and overall quality assurance processes;
• Carrying out source emission measurements and related emission data with ambient air quality and management strategies;
• Working with related components such as emissions inventories, atmospheric models, and meteorological data integration;
• Supporting the procurement of instruments, monitoring accessories, and maintenance contracts;
• Collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary environmental laboratory team and providing mentorship, where needed;
• Working independently on-field or on analytical tasks, with a proactive and problem-solving approach;
• Teaching and guiding students on interdisciplinary air quality topics;
• Supporting the communication of technical findings clearly to policymakers, researchers, and general audiences through various forms such as newsletters, journals etc;
• Providing support for other IIHS activities including academics, research, training, practice, operations and others.
• Participating in all activities of Institution-Building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and travelling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.

Structure and Reporting

The specialist will be an External Consultant with the Environmental Lab and part of the larger SES team at IIHS coordinating with the Consultant – Environmental Lab at IIHS and will be required to collaborate effectively with a Campus Development team, internal teams and external individuals/ organisations, and students.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate should have:

Essential

• A Master’s degree or higher in Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or a related field;
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in ambient air quality monitoring, analysis, and reporting;
• Proficiency in operating and maintaining advanced air quality instruments and analyzers;
• Strong understanding of emission sources, pollution control measures, and environmental data interpretation;
• Experience managing procurement processes and coordinating technically with vendors and laboratories;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present scientific work to diverse audiences;
• A team-oriented mindset with the ability to take initiative and work independently when required.

Desired:

• Familiarity with receptor modeling, data visualization tools, and GIS integration;
• The knowledge and skill to apply or support advanced receptor modeling and source apportionment techniques (an added advantage);
• Commitment to high-quality data and continuous improvement in monitoring and assessment practices.

This is a contractual engagement for an initial term of 11 months, renewable on mutual consent, and with the potential to turn into a regular position over time. This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Location

This position is based in the Kengeri Campus, Bengaluru and may entail travel to other locations in India.

Review and Assessment

The role and performance of the incumbent shall be subject to normal review and assessment systems at IIHS.

Diversity Policy

IIHS is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply for positions.

Contact

Please write to us at hr@iihs.co.in if you need any clarifications while filling the online application form.