Quantifying Urban Methane and Hydrogen Emissions Using Atmospheric Measurements

Project Code: FISHER_RHUL_ARIES27

Quantifying Urban Methane and Hydrogen Emissions Using Atmospheric Measurements

Project Code: FISHER_RHUL_ARIES27

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Rebecca Fisher, Faculty of Science, Royal Holloway, University of London – contact me

Dr Dave Lowry, Royal Holloway, University of London

Dr James France, Environmental Defense Fund

 

Scientific Background

Globally, atmospheric concentrations of methane and hydrogen are increasing. Reducing emissions is essential to meet Paris Agreement goals. Increasing atmospheric hydrogen concentrations can also extend methane’s lifetime and contribute to warming.

The UK has a detailed inventory of methane emissions, but discrepancies remain between inventories and measurements, particularly in urban areas. Hydrogen emissions, including from combustion, are poorly quantified. Improved understanding of current emissions, their sources, and how they are changing is needed to identify further opportunities for emission reduction.

 

Research Methodology

The PGR will be based in the greenhouse gas research group at Royal Holloway, Egham, using instrumentation for in situ and mobile measurements of methane, hydrogen, and associated gases. 30 years of methane and hydrogen measurements from Egham will be used to quantify changes in emissions and identify sources across the London region. Machine learning and atmospheric dispersion modelling will be used to understand variability and identify emission patterns.

Mobile methane and hydrogen surveys will be conducted in targeted urban areas, particularly London, with opportunities to investigate other UK cities. These measurements will be used to quantify and identify current emission sources. For methane, comparison with previous surveys will allow changes in emissions and sources over the past decade to be assessed.

Royal Holloway has recently developed capability for mobile measurement of hydrogen in ambient air. The PGR will assess whether this approach can locate and quantify hydrogen emissions alongside established mobile methane measurements. The project will also review current understanding of UK hydrogen emissions and identify key gaps in knowledge.

 

Training

The PGR will receive training in atmospheric composition measurements using spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry for greenhouse gas isotope analysis. They will gain extensive laboratory and field experience, with opportunities to use UAVs as mobile measurement platforms. Training in atmospheric dispersion modelling and GIS mapping will also be provided.

 

Person Specification

We seek a numerate individual with an interest in atmospheric science and enthusiasm for field and laboratory measurements, data analysis, and developing new approaches to understanding greenhouse gas emissions.

Acceptable first degree subject(s): Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or other related disciplines.

References

  • Vogel, F, Ars, S, Wunch, D, Lavoie, J, Gillespie, L, Maazallahi, H, Röckmann, T, Nęcki, J, Bartyzel, J, Jagoda, P, Lowry, D, France, J, Fernandez, J, Bakkaloglu, S, Fisher, R, Lanoiselle, M, Chen, H, Oudshoorn, M, Yver-Kwok, C, Defratyka, S, Morgui, JA, Estruch, C, Curcoll, R, Grossi, C, Chen, J, Dietrich, F, Forstmaier, A, Denier van der Gon, HAC, Dellaert, SNC, Salo, J, Corbu, M, Iancu, SS, Tudor, AS, Scarlat, AI & Calcan, A (2024), 'Ground-Based Mobile Measurements to Track Urban Methane Emissions from Natural Gas in 12 Cities across Eight Countries', Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 2271-2281. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c03160
  • Tettenborn, J, Zavala-Araiza, D, Stroeken, D, Maazallahi, H, van der Veen, C, Hensen, A, Velzeboer, I, van den Bulk, P, Vogel, F, Gillespie, L, Ars, S, France, J, Lowry, D, Fisher, R & Röckmann, T (2025), 'Improving consistency in methane emission quantification from the natural gas distribution systems across measurement devices', Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, vol. 18, no. 14, pp. 3569-3584. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3569-2025
  • Dowd, E., Manning, A.J., Orth-Lashley, B., Girard, M., France, J., Fisher, R.E., Lowry, D., Lanoisellé, M., Pitt, J.R., Stanley, K.M., O'Doherty, S., Young, D., Thistlethwaite, G., Chipperfield, M.P., Gloor, E. & Wilson, C. (2024). 'First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK', Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 1599-1615. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1599-2024.
  • Yver, C. E., Pison, I. C., Fortems-Cheiney, A., Schmidt, M., Chevallier, F., Ramonet, M., Jordan, A., Søvde, O. A., Engel, A., Fisher, R. E., Lowry, D., Nisbet, E. G., Levin, I., Hammer, S., Necki, J., Bartyzel, J., Reimann, S., Vollmer, M. K., Steinbacher, M., Aalto, T., Maione, M., Arduini, J., O'Doherty, S., Grant, A., Sturges, W. T., Forster, G. L., Lunder, C. R., Privalov, V., Paramonova, N., Werner, A. & Bousquet, P. (2011) A new estimation of the recent tropospheric molecular hydrogen budget using atmospheric observations and variational inversion, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 11, 7, p. 3375-3392, doi:10.5194/acp-11-3375-2011.
  • Standen, I., Fisher, R., France, J., Lowry, D., Lanoiselle, M., & Nisbet, E. (2025). ‘Development of Instrumentation for Mobile Measurements of Hydrogen Emissions’. In EGU General Assembly 2025. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-9950

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2027. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 December 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via the Royal Holloway Application Portal