Author: Silvana

Early Career Workshop: Microsatellites and their use in planetary and astrobiology research (Tartu, Estonia, 24-31 August 2024)

The aim of the workshop will be to enable students and early career scientists to design micro-and nanosatellite missions tackling scientific themes and target objects they have chosen themselves previously. The workshop will consist of three parts:

  • a lectured part consisting of in-depth talks on the scientific background of the chosen mission themes and on important issues in satellite technology
  • a mission designing part where attendees plan these endeavours in detail with the help of satellite technologists
  • a final presentation of all the projects

To plan missions involving such small satellites successfully, intensive interaction and cooperation between scientists and space technologists are necessary, which is still lacking in some potential key applications. The workshop school aims to:

  • Highlight the possible potential of microsatellites in exploring different targets like the Moon, small bodies and outer satellites
  • Foster the interaction between space researchers and technologists
  • Allow participants to start the design and planning of new space missions
  • Contribute to the training of a new generation of space researchers

The work on the mission designs will continue after the workshop, thus ensuring a long-term impact.

The European Astrobiology Institute, Univeristy of Tartu and Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre will function as co-organisers of the workshop.

The workshop will consist of lectures by leading scientists, planning for different micro- or nanosatellite projects in small groups as well as open discussions. Participants will also have the possibility to display their own research results in a poster session. Furthermore, a one-day excursion to South Estonia and a walk around Tartu is included as a social programme.

The event is open to applicants from all nationalities. Nevertheless, recommendation letters for visa applications are only issued for participants selected by the organisers.

PLEASE NOTE: A limited number of bursaries for students and early career scientists (up to 8 years from their first PhD in a related field) from EAI institutions (see a list here) will be available. We are also working to get some funding for students and early career scientists from the US. Participants from EAI Institutions selected by the EAI for bursaries will be offered free lunches, excursions, farewell dinner and accommodation in a shared 2-bedded room at Raatuse Hostel from 23 August (arrival) to 1 September 2024 (departure), but have to fund their travel on their own. There is no special application for the bursaries, just send in your application form and tell us in the e-mail. Participants selected for the bursaries will be notified immediately after the application deadline (in good time after the registration deadline).

>> Application deadline is 1st May 2024 <<

All information is found on the on the >>website<<

2 weeks left to complete your registration!

(Corrected) The deadline for registering for our International Astrobiology School is in 2 weeks – March 15th (12pm CET)!

Head over >> here << to register.

❗Remember❗:

  • Please be aware that the registration does not ensure the enrolment. We would love to welcome you all! Unfortunately, the venue capacity is limited… At the end of the registration timeframe, registered people will be selected as fairly as possible across career stages and disciplines to reach the maximum number of 50 participants.
  • Enrolment is only complete following payment of the registration fee (200€). The bank details for the payment will be sent to you after the selection process.

🇮🇹 We hope to see you soon! 🇮🇹

EAI online seminar: Life on Earth, and Earth Alone: How to Make Sense of the N = 1 Problem in Astrobiology

Philipp Spillmann Department of History & Philosophy of Science University of Cambridge, UK

Tuesday, 5th March 2024, 16:00 CET (15:00 UTC)

Astrobiology is often said to be limited to a single instance of life in the universe: Life as we know it on Earth. Scientists and philosophers alike have been worried that this unfortunate predicament may lead to serious, perhaps even insurmountable obstacles to the justification of astrobiological models and theories. This concern is known as the N = 1 problem. In my talk, I take a closer look at this problem from a philosophical perspective, and analyze how exactly it is best phrased, explained, and solved – both in theory and scientific practice.

The talk will be streamed at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6631204351

Watch the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnxVSsXEt8

5th AbGradE Workshop – Save the Date!

After a very successful event before EANA 2023 in Madrid, we are happy to announce that our second event to celebrate our 10th anniversary will take place on

>> September 2nd 2024 in Graz, Austria <<

(as usual, right before the EANA 2024 conference, September 3rd to 6th)!

The event will take place at the Space Research Institute (Institut fuer Weltraumforschung, IWF), and we will likely host an icebreaker event the evening before 🎈🍻.

So please, mark the first week of September 2024 in your calendar! Further information and details will follow within the next months, so keep an eye on our website and social media.

PhD Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Space Sciences and Planetary Research in Graz (Austria)

The Young Researcher Program YRP@Graz welcomes applications for PhD positions. YRP@Graz is jointly supported by the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Graz University of Technology, and the University of Graz.

The application process has two stages with which they aim to decrease selection biases: The first stage of the application process is anonymised, the second stage takes the form of an interview.

Excellent candidates with a strong background in natural sciences are welcome to apply. Successful candidates must hold a Master’s degree in (astro)physics, geoscience, computational chemistry, or equivalent at the latest by the starting date of the position but preferably at the time of application. Previous experience in aspects of astrophysics, machine learning, and related fields, and a track record of teamwork will be beneficial for the selection, as will experience in computational coding.

The three offered projects are:

  • Machine Learning-supported exoplanet cloud modelling
  • Solar Eruptions and their global magnetic environment
  • Magnetic helicity in solar eruptions and related interplanetary disturbances

>> Submission deadline: April 30th 2024 <<

Details about the offered projects and the application process can be found here.

2 year postdoc: Atmosphere Microbial Habitability Modelling (Marseille, France)

The Aix-Marseille University is seeking a 24-month Postdoc to work on a Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)-funded project ‘The atmosphere: a living, breathing ecosystem?’. The project is a collaboration involving the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography in Marseille (France), the University of Guelph (Canada), Monash University in Melbourne (Australia) and Arizona State University in Phoenix (USA). The position is under the supervision of Dr. James Bradley.

The overall aim of the project is to resolve the composition, capabilities, and activities of atmospheric microbes at a global scale, to distinguish whether the atmosphere exhibits structure and microbial activity characteristic of a true ecosystem, or if it is simply a passive dispersal medium for microorganisms.

Deadline:  Friday 10th May 2024

For more info, click here.

Informal inquiries should be made to Dr James Bradley.

Student Internship Opportunity at Okayama University (Japan)

The Institute for Planetary Materials (Okayama University, Japan) has opened the annual Misasa
International Student Internship Program (MISIP) for advanced undergraduate (3rd to 4th year) and Master’s students majoring in earth sciences, physics, chemistry, materials sciences, or related fields.

Students (who have a strong interest in a career pursuing scientific research) from either within or outside Japan, regardless of nationality, are eligible to apply.

Travel expenses and daily living expenses will be covered, and
accommodation in the Misasa Guesthouse, close to the Institute, will be provided.

Total number of Participants: 8-10.
Internship dates: July 2nd (Tue.) to August 8th (Thu.), 2024.

Last Date of Application: 24th March 2024 23:59 JST (15:59 CET).

Details can be found >> here <<.

For More details contact: Dr. Tak Kunihiro.

Postdoc opportunities: Mars Sample Return (University of Oslo, Norway)

The University of Oslo’s Centre for Planetary Habitability has announced two new postdoctoral opportunities related to Mars Sample Return.

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Earth and Planetary Sciences (257508)
    On establishing a Mars Sample Return (MSR) Analogue Sample Library (ASL) of terrestrial sample materials relevant for the MSR Campaign directed jointly by ESA and NASA (apply here)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Planetary Sciences (257624)
    On deciphering the planetary rock record to explore evidence and fate of water on terrestrial planetary objects from the surface mineralogy and morphology (apply here)

Deadline:  Thursday 29 February 2024

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

Job advert: Spaceflight Detector Characterisation Engineer (Open University)

The Open University is recruiting for a Spaceflight Detector Characterisation Engineer position. The position is funded by the UK Space Agency, for an initial duration of one year, with an expectation of continued funding subject to availability.

Applications are invited to join their group and undertake laboratory-based analyses of detectors planned for use in future spaceflight instrument opportunities.  The role holder will help develop a new detector test facility at the Open University, undertake the detailed characterisation of new detector technology, and perform the relevant analysis of data collected to assess the performance of the detector under various environmental conditions.   

Details on the role and how to apply can be found here.
For further information, please contact Manish Patel.

Deadline:  Friday 8 March 2024 (noon UK time)