Krzysztof Ciupek is a Higher Scientist in NPL’s Air Quality and Aerosol Metrology Group (AQAM) and is leading the technical delivery of the UK Black Carbon Network. His work focuses on the physical properties of aerosols, with a particular emphasis on carbonaceous matter. This includes studies of black carbon (BC) using light absorption optical methods, as well as the analysis of organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC) by using thermo-optical techniques.
Krzysztof has more than 15 years of experience in scientific research. Since joining AQAM in 2017, he has worked on calibration of Condensation Particle Counters (CPC), Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers (SMPS), and electrometers. Following his transition to managing the Black Carbon Network, he became responsible for data processing and ratification, ensuring the quality and consistency of long-term monitoring data. He is currently leading the development of a new calibration facility to generate contrasting soot-like particles, including both uncoated and coated particles with organic layers, to support aerosol characterisation and instrument validation.
He holds a PhD from Imperial College London, where his doctoral research focused on “Improving the accuracy of black carbon measurements for air quality and climate change”. This work was closely linked to his involvement in the EMPIR Black Carbon project, which aimed to develop reference methods for black carbon and light absorption, and their application in climate and health studies. He also contributed to the EMPIR AeroTox project, where reference synthetic aerosols were combined with high-resolution optical imaging of exposed cells to investigate the cytotoxic effect of airborne particulate matter in vitro. Currently, Krzysztof is actively involved in the EPM STANBC project focuses on the standardisation of black carbon aerosol metrics. Since 2021, he has been a member of CEN/TC/264 Working Group 35: “Ambient Air – EC/OC”, contributing to the development of standardised methods for measuring organic and elemental carbon in ambient air.