Category: Job Positions

PhD Opportunity in Space Microbiology at ZARM (University of Bremen, Germany)

Are you passionate about space and microbiology? The Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen is looking for a motivated PhD researcher to join the ERC-funded MarCyano project. This 3-year position offers the chance to explore how cyanobacteria could help sustain future human missions to Mars — by producing oxygen, food, and other essentials using Martian resources.

Who can apply?
If you have (or are about to complete) a Master’s in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related field, and you’re excited about space research and hands-on lab work, this could be a great fit!

Location: Bremen, Germany
Deadline to apply: June 1, 2025
Find out more and apply: Click here

Postdoctoral Opportunity in Astrobiology at the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, Madrid, Spain)

The Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Lipid Biomolecules in Planetary Exploration group. This 1.5-year position (starting around September 2025) is part of the ExPresBio project, which investigates the preservation of lipid biomarkers under astrobiology-relevant conditions, including Martian-like radiation environments.

Who should apply?
PhDs in Astrobiology, Geoscience, Environmental Science, Biogeochemistry, or Organic Geochemistry with skills in radiation experiments, GC-MS, IRMS, and data analysis (e.g., R, Python).

Location: Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
Apply by sending your CV and motivation letter to:
lsanchez (at) cab.inta-csic.es

More details can be found here

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Lunar Volatiles (Open University, England)

An 18-month postdoc position funded by the UK Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC) is available. The research will involve mineralogical and isotopic studies of lunar samples, including measurements of light element volatiles by nanoSIMS. The deadline for application is 20th March 2025, with a notional start date of 1st May 2025. Follow the link below to see the full advert and how to apply.

https://jobs.open.ac.uk/job/Post-Doctoral-Research-Associate-(Lunar-Volatiles)/630-en_GB/

PhD Opportunity: Studying Biosignatures Under Martian Irradiation in Orléans (France)

A PhD position at CNRS in Orléans, France, offers a unique opportunity to investigate how biosignatures survive in the harsh environment of Mars.

Mars was once habitable, with liquid water on its surface, but over time, its atmosphere thinned, and radiation exposure increased. Despite this, ancient rocks on the Martian surface might still hold evidence of past microbial life. This PhD project will explore how cosmic radiation affects these biosignatures over billions of years, helping refine the search for life on Mars—especially for upcoming missions like ESA’s ExoMars.

The research involves using a particle accelerator (CEMHTI Pelletron) to simulate Martian irradiation, analyzing how different minerals protect biosignatures, and collaborating with space mission teams. It’s a fantastic chance to contribute to astrobiology and planetary exploration.

📅 Application deadline: March 14
📍 Location: CNRS, Orléans, France

🔗 More details & application: CNES Website

For further inquiries, feel free to reach out to Dr. Frédéric Foucher.

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Microbiology and Palaeobiology (University of Edinburgh, Scotland)

The School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for an exciting three-year position at the intersection of palaeontology and microbiology. This role focuses on investigating the fossil record of microbial life, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research.

Key Requirements:

  • PhD in palaeontology, Earth sciences, microbiology, or a related field
  • Training and experience in microbiology
  • Strong ability to work independently and in a team
  • Experience in scientific publications and conference presentations

Job Details:

  • Location: James Clerk Maxwell Building, Edinburgh (100% on-campus)
  • Salary: £40,247 – £47,874 per annum (Grade UE07)
  • Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (3 years)
  • Application deadline: March 7, 2025
  • Start date: July 1, 2025

Why Join?

  • Work in a leading research-intensive university
  • Be part of a diverse and dynamic international community
  • Access mentorship, career development, and staff benefits

The University of Edinburgh is an equal opportunity employer and can sponsor international applicants for a Skilled Worker Visa.

For more info and to apply, >>click here<<

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 we aim to decrease selection biases: Stage 1 of the application process is anonymised (submission deadline: March 11th 2025), stage 2 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 physics, astrophysics, geoscience, computational chemistry or equivalent at the latest by the starting date of the position but preferably at the time of application. The appointment can begin July 1st 2025, and will aim for a minimum of three years.

The five offered projects are:

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

PhD position: Novel Biosignatures for Microfossil Interpretation (Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland)

The ProtoSigns Lab in the School of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City University is seeking a motivated PhD student to explore novel biosignatures for microfossil interpretation as part of an ERC-funded project.

📌 What is offered:
✅ Fully funded 4-year PhD (€25K/year stipend)
✅ Fieldwork opportunities
✅ Cutting-edge facilities & international collaborations
✅ Mentorship from leading experts
✅ Training and career development

📅 Apply by: 31 Jan 2025
📧 Email: sean(.)jordan(@)dcu(.)ie
For more info on the project, click >here<

PhD projects at the Natural History Museum in London (UK), September/October 2025

There are two PhD projects available at the Natural History Museum, for a September/October 2025 start. These projects are in the fields of meteorites and mineralogy. Deadline for all applications is Sunday 2 February 2025, 23:59 GMT. STFC projects

Project 1: Salt hydrates at high pressure and low temperature: Implications for icy moon explorations Contact Supervisor: Ines Collings https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/study/postgraduate/phd-opportunities/projects/salt-hydrates-high-pressure-low-temperature.html

Project 2: Petrologic and geochemical constraints on volcanic eruptions on Amazonian Mars Contact Supervisors: Chiara Petrone, Paul Schofield https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/study/postgraduate/phd-opportunities/projects/petrologic-geochemical-constraints-volcanic-eruptions-amazonian-mars.html

Full details of the application process, supervisors, and associated universities can be found on all the project pages.

PhD projects for autumn 2025 at the AstrobiologyOU (The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK)

The AstrobiologyOU research group at The Open University are advertising several fully funded PhD projects for autumn 2025 entry. Advertised projects span a range of disciplines and topics, and include:

  • Follow the fluids: hydrothermal alteration in Iceland and implications for Early Earth
    • Lead supervisor Dr Julia Semprich

  • Tracking the fate of ocean carbon within the ice shells of icy moons
    • Lead supervisor Dr Mark Fox-Powell

  • Exploring the contribution of meteorite impacts on the Earth’s early ocean composition
    • Lead supervisor Dr Nisha Ramkissoon

  • Pushed to the Extreme: Extremophile-Mediated Bioremediation of Smouldering Sewage Sludge Emissions
    • Lead supervisor Dr Michael Macey

..and others! See https://www5.open.ac.uk/research-groups/astrobiology/work-with-us/phds for more information and links to apply. Keep your eye on the page as more projects may be added in the coming weeks.