Author: DominikH

French Young Researchers Exobiology Conference 2026

Registration is now open!
Our friends at EJC (Exobiologie Jeunes Chercheur·ses) would like to invite you to their conference in November 2026.

The EJC is a national conference dedicated to young researchers involved in the study of the origin of life, its evolution, and its detection, on Earth and in the Universe.

The objective of this conference is to gather young researchers from different disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, Earth sciences, environmental sciences, etc.) and to offer them a platform to present their research, exchange ideas, and establish collaborations.

Conference Themes:

  • The Origin of Life and Prebiotic Chemistry
  • Survival and Extreme Conditions of Life
  • Space Exploration and Observations
  • Habitability: From Earth to Exoplanets
  • Panel Discussion around Scientific Communication

Where: Salle de l’Espace, CNES, Paris

When: November 2nd – 4th, 2026

Deadline for registration: October 1st, 2026

Deadline for abstracts: September 14th, 2026

For more information click here.

PhD in Experimental Microbial Ecology

Fully funded PhD position
The National Centre of Competence in Research NCCR Genesis is a research infrastructure project funded by SNSF focussing on exploring the emergence of life in the Universe. This interdisciplinary research infrastructure brings together physicists, earth and planetary scientists, chemists and biologists to understand the conditions and the mechanisms that enable life to emerge. Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) – whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements – requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and the earth sciences. NCCR Genesis does not aim
to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress.


Details on NCCR Genesis are available on its website https://nccr-genesis.ch.

Position Overview

The Institute of Earth Sciences (ISTE) at the University of Lausanne invites applications for a PhD position in experimental microbial ecology within the framework of the NCCR Genesis.
The successful candidate will work under the joint supervision of Dr. Alice Bosco Santos (UNIL) and Dr. Nicola Storelli (SUPSI).

Project Overview

This PhD project will develop controlled experimental systems to investigate top-down and bottom-up ecological strategies that directly shape the biosignatures of sulfur-cycling bacteria
in low-oxygen environments. The main focus will be on virus–host interactions in purple (PSB) and green (GSB) sulfur bacteria related to the microbial anoxic communities of meromictic Lake Cadagno. The work will combine laboratory-based experiments at UNIL (Lausanne) and SUPSI (Mendrisio) with field observations in stratified aquatic environments (e.g., meromictic lakes), particularly during June-October. The candidate will generate the empirical foundation needed to quantify how viral perturbations affect microbial metabolism and biogeochemical outputs.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Monitoring and Isolation of viruses from the natural environment
  • Infection test with different anoxygenic phototrophic sulfur bacteria
  • Conduct anaerobic microbiology work, such as maintaining cultures of anaerobic phototrophic sulfur bacteria, designing and performing experiments under controlled redox gradients (e.g., microfluidics, mesocosms).
  • Characterize microbial responses using: flow cytometry, viability assays (e.g., live/dead staining), microscopy and spatial analysis
  • Develop and apply molecular approaches: qPCR quantification, RNA extraction, and transcriptomics preparation
  • Organize and participate in field monitoring campaigns in Lake Cadagno, Ticino, Switzerland
  • Contribute to data integration with computational collaborators

Candidate Profile
A motivated candidate with a strong interest in environmental
microbiology and geomicrobiology. A master’s (or equivalent) degree in microbiology, environmental sciences, biology, or a related field is preferred. Candidates with an interest in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry and a motivation for fieldwork in lake environments are encouraged to apply.


Working Environment
The candidate will be based at the University of Lausanne within a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment and will collaborate closely with SUPSI. Time at SUPSI for training and
analysis will be necessary (especially from June to October). The project is embedded in the NCCR Genesis, offering access to a broad network of researchers working on biosignatures, microbial processes, and planetary habitability.



What is Offered

  • A fully funded PhD position in Switzerland
  • Interdisciplinary training across microbiology, biogeochemistry, and biosignatures
  • Opportunities for fieldwork in unique natural systems
  • Collaboration within a national research network (UNIL, SUPSI, EPFL)
  • A supportive and collaborative research environment within the NCCR Genesis

Application

Applications should be sent to alice.boscosantos@unil.ch and include:

  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • Contact details of 2–3 referees
  • The position is expected to start in Fall 2026. The application deadline is August 5, 2026.
  • Interviews will be conducted between August 15 and 20, 2026

PhD in Quantitative Microbial Biosignatures and Statistical Biophysics

Fully funded PhD position
The National Centre of Competence in Research NCCR Genesis is a research infrastructure project funded by SNSF focussing on exploring the emergence of life in the Universe. This interdisciplinary research infrastructure brings together physicists, earth and planetary scientists, chemists and biologists to understand the conditions and the mechanisms that enable life to emerge. Developing reliable methods to detect reliable traces of life (biosignatures) – whether through remote sensing or direct onsite measurements – requires significant innovation. These challenges demand close collaboration across physics, biology, chemistry and the earth sciences. NCCR Genesis does not aim
to provide answers in all fields, but to drive innovative research and achieve decisive progress.


Details on NCCR Genesis are available on its website https://nccr-genesis.ch.

Position Overview

The Institute of Earth Sciences (ISTE) at the University of Lausanne invites applications for a PhD position in computational biosignatures and quantitative modeling within the framework of the NCCR Genesis. The successful candidate will work under the joint supervision of Alice Bosco Santos (UNIL) and Paolo De Los Rios (EPFL).

Project Overview

This PhD project aims to quantify how viral perturbations of microbial metabolism translate into measurable biosignatures in low-oxygen environments.
Focusing on sulfur-cycling microbial communities (e.g., purple sulfur bacteria and associated viruses), the project will combine bioinformatics, quantitative modeling, and experimental data integration to identify key metabolic control points targeted by viruses and evaluate how their perturbation propagates through microbial and biogeochemical systems, producing detectable shifts in biosignatures (e.g., isotopic fractionation, pigment production).

Key Responsibilities:

  • Analyze multi-omics datasets:
    o metagenomics
    o metatranscriptomics
    o viromes and auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs)
  • Identify metabolic pathways (KEGG pathways) and rate-limiting steps targeted by viruses
    Develop quantitative models to:
    o simulate microbial metabolic networks
    o quantify the impact of viral perturbations
    o estimate thresholds for detectable biosignature shifts
  • Integrate experimental data into modeling
  • Contribute to the interpretation of carbon and sulfur cycling
  • Participate in field campaigns to gain familiarity with the systems studied
  • Possibility to participate in laboratory experiments (e.g., gene expression analyses) to validate and parameterize quantitative models

Candidate Profile
A motivated candidate interested in the intersection of biology, physics, and Earth sciences, with a strong inclination toward computational approaches.

Required:

  • MSc (or equivalent) in bioinformatics, computational biology, physics, environmental sciences, or related field
  • Strong interest in quantitative analysis and modeling
  • Programming skills
  • Ability to work at the interface of disciplines
  • Interest in linking models to experimental data

Working Environment
The candidate will be based at the University of Lausanne and will collaborate closely with EPFL. The project offers a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface of microbial ecology, physics, and Earth sciences.
The position is embedded within the NCCR Genesis, providing access to a broad network of researchers working on biosignatures, planetary habitability, and the detection of life beyond Earth.

What is Offered

  • A fully funded PhD position in Switzerland
  • Training at the interface of microbiology, physics, and Earth sciences
  • Opportunities to develop both computational and experimental skills
  • Collaboration within a national research network (UNIL, EPFL, SUPSI, UNIGE, ETH)
  • A supportive and interdisciplinary research environment within the NCCR Genesis

Application

Applications should be sent to alice.boscosantos@unil.ch and include:

  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • Contact details of 2–3 referees
  • The position is expected to start in Fall 2026. The application deadline is August 5, 2026.
  • Interviews will be conducted between August 15 and 20, 2026

15 PhD positions in Planetary Exploration

Are you passionate about planetary exploration? Do you want to contribute to a flagship ESA Astrobiology mission? Would you like to join the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Mission science team in the search for life on Mars? This is a unique opportunity to launch your career in planetary science and space research.

15 PhD positions of the EXODOCS Doctoral Network are published on EURAXESS: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/432752

These positions are distributed across leading European institutions in planetary science and space research, offering cutting-edge training and direct involvement in ExoMars-related science and operations.

Application deadline: 31 May 2026

www.exodocs.eu

List of Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions:

  • DC1: Optimizing the Scientific Return of Close-Up Cameras for Mars Exploration (Technical University of Munich, Germany);
  • DC2: Automated Analysis of Martian Surface Clasts and Regolith Using Imaging Instruments (Open University, United Kingdom);
  • DC3: Optimizing Mineral Identification Using Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) spectrometry (University College London, United Kingdom);
  • DC4: Multi-Scale Target Prediction for Mars Exploration Using AI Methods (German Aerospace Center, Germany)
  • DC5*: 3D Mapping of the Surface and Subsurface Using WISDOM (GPR) (University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France);
  • DC6: Comparative Analysis and Optimization of Spectrometers for Mars Exploration (Universidad de Valladolid, Spain);
  • DC7: Monitoring the dehydration of drill tailings from Martian subsurface sampling (University College London, United Kingdom);
  • DC8**: Monitoring the alteration of drill cores from Martian subsurface sampling (LSU, Italy);
  • DC9*: Developing Quantification Methods for Mineral Analysis Using Raman and NIR Spectroscopies (Université Paris-Saclay, France);
  • DC10: Developing a Polarimetric Radargram Library for Subsurface Analysis with GPR (Technische Universität Dresden, Germany);
  • DC11: Optimization of GC-MS procedures for Organic Detection on Mars (University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France);
  • DC12: Novel solutions to Discriminate Biominerals from Abiotic Equivalents (Université Paris Cité, France);
  • DC13**: Developing Spectral Analysis Tools for Trace Organic Detection and Biosignature recognition in Geological Mixtures (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy);
  • DC14: Investigating Organic-Mineral Interactions for Biosignature Detection Using Spectroscopic Techniques (Universidad de Valladolid, Spain);
  • DC15: Enhancing Cooperative Spectroscopic Analysis for Biosignature Detection on Mars (Université Paris-Saclay, France);

* The candidate will be hired by UVSQ, but the PhD degree will be awarded by UPS.
** The candidate will be hired by LSU, while INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Rome) will act as the hosting institute.

Save the Date – ESA–NASA Omics Data Sharing Seminar

Join ESA and NASA on 11 March 2026 (16:00-18:00 CET) for a seminar on how ESA omics data are shared, curated and accessed through NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR). The session will present ESA Exploration Science activities, data access via the Human and Robotic Exploration Data Archive (HREDA), and opportunities to collaborate through OSDR Analysis Working Groups.

The seminar will have the following topics:

Welcome and introduction to ESA Exploration Science

Exploring data through Human and Robotic ExplorationData Archive (HREDA)

NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) researching space exploration

Intro into NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR)

Processing and Curation of ESA Data within NASA OSDR

Opportunities with OSDR-Analysis Working Groups

To register, please contact: Exploration-Science@esa.int

“Planetary Protection for sustainable space exploration” by The Royal Society

Royal Society Publishing has recently published an OPEN ACCESS theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A: Planetary Protection for sustainable space exploration compiled and edited by Karen Olsson-Francis, Athena Coustenis, Peter Doran, Petra Rettberg, Niklas Hedman and Jean-Claude Worms and the articles are FREE to access at www.bit.ly/TransA2314

About this issue

Planetary protection has recently gained increased attention from the broader scientific community, primarily driven by the rise of new spacefaring nations and the expanding role of private and commercial entities in space exploration. In response to these evolving dynamics, the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy is being refined to accommodate these more complex and ambitious missions. This theme issue highlights the need for a transparent approach for planetary protection, where international collaboration is actively pursued, including the sharing of best practices and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to help ensure that space exploration benefits future generations.
The issue is based on the contributions presented at the Inaugural International COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) Planetary Protection Week held in London on April 2024 and at other COSPAR Planetary Protection Meetings.

List of papers

Planetary protection for safe and sustainable space exploration
Karen Olsson-Francis et al.

The COSPAR panel on planetary protection and the COSPAR policy on planetary protection: an overview of governance and activities
Niklas Hedman et al.

Testing the hypothesis, ‘planetary protection is expensive’ from the ESA perspective
Silvio Sinibaldi & Albert Haldemann

Proposed updates to the COSPAR planetary protection policy for missions to icy worlds
Peter Doran et al.

Habitability and exchange processes on the Jovian moons: implications for planetary protection measures
Gabriel Tobie et al.

Survival limits of psychrotolerant microorganisms with relevance for planetary protection of the icy moons
Tommaso Zaccaria, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Marien I de Jonge, Mihai G Netea & Petra Rettberg

Planetary protection considerations for Dragonfly at Titan
Ralph D Lorenz, Shannon MacKenzie, Mihaela Ballarotto, Kenneth Hibbard & Elizabeth P Turtle

Isolator/glovebox technical challenges for the curation of samples returned from Mars
John MC Holt et al.

An ensemble binning approach to identify functional diversity in cleanroom environments
Michael C Macey, Alexander Mahnert, Ben P Stephens, Ezgi Kucukkilic-Stephens & Karen Olsson-Francis

Co-enrichment of Ce and organics in microbe-like structures at the deep-sea ferromanganese crust surface
Ayaka Tokumaru et al.

Postdoctoral Research position in Astrochemistry/Planetology

The team of the project ORGAMISS within the ASTRO team of the PIIM laboratory in Marseille (France) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the impact of space weathering to detect organic matter in mineral matrices simulating solar system bodies.

This project investigates the origin and chemical evolution of extraterrestrial organic matter in past or present aqueous environments of Solar System bodies. The project will experimentally simulate the fate of organic matter on the surface of bodies (asteroids, Mars) using analogs and meteorites and define biases for the detection of OM in mineral matrices.

The preferred candidate will have a PhD (or close to completion) in astrochemistry, planetary sciences, chemistry or a closely related field, with knowledge and familiarity in spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV, Raman) and experimental works. The candidate should have demonstrated skills for experiments and/or analytics during the PhD or postdoctoral positions.

For more information, click here (PDF file).

The starting date is expected before July 2026.
Please send a CV, a description of research interests, a publication list, and email addresses of 2 referees as a single PDF file to Vassilissa.vinogradoff@univ-amu.fr

Postdoctoral Research position in Archaea Ecology (Bioinformatics)

This is not a repost – it’s another similar position in the same department.

The Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Rodrigues-Oliveira group. This ERC-funded position offers the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in a collaborative environment. The position is full-time, starting 1 April 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter), and is funded initially for 1 year.

About the research project
This research project focuses on the Asgard archaea, the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes. However, many aspects of their ecology and metabolism remain poorly understood, despite their key evolutionary significance. The position involves focused analyses of proteins and metabolic pathways central to Asgard archaeal ecology, aiming to generate insights relevant to ongoing discussions on eukaryogenesis.

Qualifications

  • A PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbiology or related field
  • Proven research experience in comparative genomics and phylogeny
  • Demonstrated teamwork and interpersonal skills, with commitment to collaborative research.
  • Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
  • The capacity to prepare and present his/her/their research at scientific conferences.
  • Excellent English skills, both written and oral

Want to apply?
Great! Please send your CV, a motivation letter, and the contact details of three referees to the project leader, Asst. Prof. Thiago Rodrigues de Oliveira (thiago.rodrigues@bio.au.dk). Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled, early applications are encouraged

More information here (PDF file).

5th Interdisciplinary Origin of Life Meeting (from OoLEN) in Tokyo, Japan

Our friends at OoLEN are organising the 5th Interdisciplinary Origin of Life Meeting for Early Career Researchers (IOoL26) at ELSI in Tokyo, Japan September 9-11th. If you are interested in going or just want to keep up to date with the meeting, please fill in the form of interest here.

OoLEN membership is encouraged but not required.

Postdoctoral Research position in Archaea Microbiology

The Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Rodrigues-Oliveira group to investigate the ecology and biochemistry of Asgard archaea and their role in the emergence of complex life. This ERC-funded position offers the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in a collaborative international environment. The position is full-time, starting 1 June 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter), and is initially for two years. As part of the recruitment process, a shortlisting procedure will be applied.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 2–year position from 01/06/2026 or as soon possible.

Application deadline: 16 March 2026

More information and application on the website here.

Job description

This project focuses on the Asgard archaea, which represent the closest prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes. Yet, due to the scarcity of cultured representatives, functional insights into their biology remain limited and are mostly inferred from genome data. In this context, you will be working on bridging this gap by investigating the biochemical properties of Asgard archaea proteins crucial to the understanding of their ecology and evolution. You will perform:

  • heterologous expression in model organisms
  • protein purification
  • biochemical functional characterizations
  • in vivo assays in genetically tractable archaea