The European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) with the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) are organising the Eighth annual Joint Training on Atmospheric Composition, hosted by the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, School of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece from 19 to 23 October 2026.
The course builds on nearly a decade of rich heritage, and past examples of trainings, including pre-training webinars can be found at the link below:
The training will introduce the participants to state-of-the-art satellite remote sensing, ground-based and in-situ measurement techniques for atmospheric composition monitoring and chemical transport modelling in a global context. This year the course is focused in the Remote Sensing of Air Quality, and the key topics will include:
The recently launched Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions
Tools and techniques for retrieving concentrations of pollutant gases from satellites
Principles of atmospheric chemistry/dynamics and relevance on climate and air quality
Combining data from different satellite instruments
Methods underlying how high-quality satellite retrievals can improve the reliability of air quality models and forecasts
Science communication
Additional aims include fostering collaboration amongst participants and encouraging the development of individual and team projects using the data, resources and methodologies present
Target audience
The training is of interest for PhD students, early-career scientists, researchers from academia and research institutes, industry, and anyone interested in atmospheric composition monitoring and modelling. On site training participation is limited, and selection is competitive.
We are pleased to announce that the webinars prior to the in-person training will be accessible to all. Basic knowledge in the concept of remote sensing and working knowledge of python is expected.
Participants from ESA, EUMETSAT and ECMWF member states, and Copernicus contributing countries, are given preference for the in-person training; however, participants from all other countries are also welcome to apply, subject to availability of space.
Important
The training is free to attend. However, participants selected for the in-person training will be expected to cover their own travel and subsistence costs and bring their own laptops. On-site participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the training.
Financial support (for accommodation in Thessaloniki) will be available upon request for a limited number of participants. Priority will be given to candidates from Copernicus contributing countries or to those working on an EU project using Copernicus data.
The training is taking place partially online with preparation lectures in the two weeks before the physical meeting, and 4.5 days of physical meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. The training will consist of the following components:
Online preparation (open to all)
Online lectures / demonstrations with keynote speakers
question & answer session
On-site training (selected participants)
Open discussions
step-by-step interactive data discovery
instructor- lead software demonstration
team projects design and development
Webinar Program and Links
Dates: 6–16 October 2026. Click on “Join here” to participate. The Webinars will run on the Microsoft Teams platform
Webinar
Topic
Webinar 1 Tue, Oct 6, 2026 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CEST) Join here Meeting ID: 324 784 282 757 84 Passcode: Ch2wm6VE
Introduction to the training, the organisers and the hosts
Speakers: Edward Malina (ESA), Mark Parrington (ECMWF), Dominika Leskow-Czyżewska (EUMETSAT)
Data Exploitation, assimilation and forecasting, and follow along demonstration on using CAMS for monitoring wildfire emissions and smoke
Speakers: Mark Parrington (ECMWF), Sebastian Steinig (ECMWF)
Webinar 9 Fri, Oct 16, 2026 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CEST) Join here Meeting ID: 344 452 307 286 497 Passcode: Ai6ux6pX
Inverse modelling: from concentrations to emissions
Speaker: Ronald van der A (KNMI)
On-site Program
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Morning 1st Session
Introduction of lecturers, trainees, our hosts, and the projects
Aerosols and dust, a global focus
Presentation on in-situ instrumentation – uses and results
Applications of AQ remote sensing
Prepare presentations
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Morning 2nd Session
From the top down – The latest in satellite remote sensing of AQ
Meteorology, chemistry, policy and implications
In-situ instrumentation site visit
Project Time
Group Presentation
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Afternoon 1st Session
From the bottom up – Atmospheric Composition and Air Quality
CAMS air quality applications and services
Practical on validation and cross comparison
Project Time
Feedback and wrap up
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Afternoon 2nd Session
Practical on retrieving trace gas compounds with QDOAS
Practical on the joint exploitation of CAMS and Satellite AQ data
Science Communication
Project Time
Course complete
Lecturers and Speakers
Alkiviadis Bais
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Dimitris Balis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Katerina Gkarane
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Dimitris Karagkiozidis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
MariLiza Koukouli
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Dominika Leskow-Czyzewska
EUMETSAT
Edward Malina
ESA
Noemi Marsico
Evenflow for EUMETSAT
Konstantinos Michailidis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Bas Mijling
KNMI
Sander Niemeijer
S&T
Thomas Panou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Mark Parrington
ECMWF
Manolis Proestakis
NOA
Chrysanthi Topaloglou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Jeroen van Gent
BIRA
Prodromos Zanis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Organisers and Support
Daniele Gasbarra
Shamrock Space Services for ESA
MariLiza Koukouli
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Dominika Leskow-Czyzewska
EUMETSAT
Sabrina Lodadio
Serco Spa for ESA
Edward Malina
ESA
Noemi Marsico
Evenflow for EUMETSAT
Kostantinos Michailidis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Mark Parrington
ECMWF
Chris Stewart
ECMWF
Schedule and Deadlines
Applications opening
26 March 2026
Applications closure
26 March 2026extended to 29 May 2026
Notification of acceptance
June 2026
Issue of Preliminary Programme
July 2026
Issue of Final Programme
at the training course
Training Course
19-23 October 2026
Venue&Logistics
Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 149, Campus A.U.TH 54124 Thessaloniki
Accommodation
Please find below a list of suggested hotels closest to the Department area. Rooms can be booked upon availability by contacting the hotels below directly 👇
