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Professor John Plane FRS

Professor John Plane FRS

  • Position: Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Areas of expertise: Atmospheric chemistry; planetary atmospheres; kinetics and photochemistry; mesosphere; marine boundary layer.
  • Email: J.M.C.Plane@leeds.ac.uk
  • Phone: +44(0)113 343 8044

Profile

Our research interests span the three branches of atmospheric chemistry: laboratory studies (kinetics and photochemistry), atmospheric measurements, and modelling. We show varied research interests with a common aim of understanding the chemistry of planetary atmospheres.

Research Group

Research interests

Our research interests span the three branches of atmospheric chemistry: laboratory studies (kinetics and photochemistry), atmospheric measurements, and modelling. Current laboratory-based research includes experimental and theoretical studies of neutral and ion-molecule reactions in the gas phase, uptake on ice surfaces, photo-electric emission from doped low-temperature ice, and the formation of nano-particles by homogeneous nucleation.

Atmospheric measurements include the development of differential optical absorption spectroscopy for observing trace species in the troposphere and stratosphere, and rocket-borne and satellite observations of the upper atmosphere. Recent modelling work has focused on topics in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere – the meteoric metal layers, noctilucent clouds, the coupling of chemistry with tides and gravity waves, long-term change – and aspects of the tropospheric marine boundary layer - the role of nitrate and halogen oxide radicals, and the production of ultra-fine aerosol.

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Some research projects I'm currently working on, or have worked on, will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • MA in Natural Sciences (U. of Cambridge) 1979
  • PhD in Physical Chemistry (U. of Cambridge) 1983

Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Americal Geophysical Union
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
  • Member of the American Chemical Society
  • Member of the European Geosciences Union

Research groups and institutes

  • Atmospheric and Planetary Chemistry

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>