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19-23 October Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

8th ESA-ECMWF-EUMETSAT joint training in atmospheric composition

Submit your application for the training

The course

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:

https://atmostraining.info/

Specific Goals

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 School of Natural Sciences, is fully mobility accessible, and the training is inclusive.

Format

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

Lecturers and Trainers

coming soon

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 opening26 March 2026
Applications closure15 May 2026
Notification of acceptanceJune 2026
Issue of Preliminary ProgrammeJuly 2026
Issue of Final Programmeat the training course
Training Course19-23 October 2026

Venue&Logistics

Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 149, Campus A.U.TH
54124 Thessaloniki

Contact info

For information and inquiries related to the application process, course programme and Lectures, please contact

eotraining@esa.int
For information regarding the logistics of the venue place, support with logistics booking and registration please contact

coming soon