Author: plfinkel

Call for Candidates Interested in preparing a MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on lipids of halophiles

Two major French institutions in astrobiology are looking for motivated early career researchers who are interested in lipids of halophiles to support in their Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship application for a project between the Sorbonne University (Arnaud Huguet, METIS lab) and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Adrienne Kish, MCAM lab) in Paris, France on the “Adaptation of the lipidome of halophilic archaea in extreme salinity conditions: from a mechanistic approach to a paleo-application”.

Criteria
Potential candidates should be in possession of a PhD before the MSCA PF deadline (and not more than 8 years after obtaining their PhD), have a strong background in molecular biology/microbiology of extremophiles and/or organic chemistry of lipids, with preference for candidates with previous experience in mass spectrometry, halophiles. To meet MSCA mobility criteria, potential candidates must not have worked in France for more than 12 months in the past 36 months. MSCA IF proposals are prepared by the candidate themselves with the support and help of the host lab.

Need more details?
Further information on the application process can be found here.

For more information on MSCA postdoctoral fellowship elegibility click here.

To submit an application, please fill this survey.

Application deadline is April 24th 2026.

Internal Research Fellow (postdoc) in Planetary Protection at the European Space Agency

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Independent Safety Office in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL).

This fellowship aims to advance the development of a risk-informed decision culture at ESA and application of probabilistic frameworks in the planetary protection domain. The overall goal is to support ESA planetary protection function on its effort to modernise current approaches with the use of new statistical models to assess biological and chemical contamination risks.

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection primary role is to develop mathematical frameworks to be used for modelling the probability to 1) transfer harmful contamination to solar system bodies for robotic or crewed missions (or a combination of both); 2) transfer harmful contamination from outer space to Earth.

As an internal researcher, the candidate will perform research activities exploring new ways or expanding the scope of existing studies to promote the use of risk-informed decision frameworks, prediction models, AI applied to planetary protection.

About you
You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference  will  be  given  to applications submitted by candidates within  five  years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:

PhD in data or computer science, machine learning, AI, statistics, mathematics, biophysics, bioinformatics.

Need more details?
Everything you need to know for you application can be found here.

Application deadline is April 3rd 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Planetary Sciences Lectureship at Mullard Space Science Laboratory UCL, UK

This post is a permanent lectureship in Planetary Science and will be held within the Planetary Science Group at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the Department of Space and Climate Physics (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mathematical-physical-sciences/mssl/space-research/solar-system/planetary-science).

The successful applicant will be expected to pursue a vigorous internationally competitive original research programme, initially exploiting data from the Rosalind Franklin Mission, but also other planetary environments, such as the Moon and the icy moons of the Outer Planets. They will actively pursue opportunities to lead future space missions and/or space instrument roles at the frontiers of Planetary Science, and aligned with the Group’s strategic science interests.

Applications in the fields of study of planetary surface science and multispectral observations, both insitu and remote, are particularly welcomed, but are not restricted to this area.

The post holder will also contribute to the teaching programme of the Department, and to its planning and organisation, participate in the life of the Department and undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the Head of Department.

About you
The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field, along with a command of the planetary surface science field and/or the use of imaging and spectroscopic instruments to study planetary surfaces and habitability, that shows both breadth and depth. They will have experience in data analysis methods relevant for investigating past or present habitability of planetary environments, and evidence of an active research profile at national and international level, with a growing reputation. It is essential that you have the ability to supervise academic work by PhD and MSc students and the ability to pursue a successful science research programme, demonstrating independent research ideas and a commitment to the scientific method.

Teaching experience at undergraduate/postgraduate university level is desirable but not essential.

Want to apply?
Please check the original post here.

Application deadline is March 29th 2026.