Category: Job Positions

The Two-Body Problem in USA Academia

Are you considering applying for a faculty position in the USA this year? Facing a two-body problem? Worried if you should include this information in your application package, or during the interview?

The Earth Science Women’s Network will be hosting a webinar on November 7th, 2023, at 2:00 pm Eastern Time (19:00 UTC) to answer all these questions and more. A panel of assistant/associate professors within multiple earth science disciplines will share their experiences and “lessons learned”. This workshop is geared towards graduate students and post-docs considering an academic career in the USA.

The panel includes:

  • Rachel Bernard – Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Amherst College
  • Alexandria Johnson – Assistant Professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University
  • Katherine (Kat) Allen – Associate Professor, School of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Maine
  • Maria Rugenstein – Assistant Professor, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University

There will also be an opportunity to network with our speakers after the panel discussion.

> Click here to register <

If you have any questions about ESWN’s events, you can email them at events[at]eswnonline[dot]org

Postdoctoral position in Atmosphere Microbial Habitability Modelling at Queen Mary University of London (UK)

The Earth Surface Science group at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) are seeking a 24-month PDRA to work on a Human Frontier Science Project (HFSP) funded project ‘The atmosphere: a living, breathing ecosystem?’. The project is a collaboration between QMUL’s School of Geography, the University of Guelph (Canada), Monash University (Australia) and Arizona State University (USA). The team aims to resolve the composition, capabilities, and activities of atmospheric microbes at a global scale, with the overall goal 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.

The PDRA will develop theoretical modelling approaches (including bioenergetics calculations, power-based ecosystem modelling) to investigate the potential habitability and ecological structure and function of microbial communities in the atmosphere. The initial focus for the PDRA is to model the habitability and ecological processes occurring in Earth’s atmosphere, and then to translate the tools and knowledge generated to the atmosphere of other planetary bodies or exoplanets.

Application Deadline: 25th August 2023
Interviews are expected to be held in early September 2023

>> Click here for more info about the post <<

Fully funded PhD project at the University of Leicester (UK)

Developing a habitability index for Earth’s biosphere

Planet Earth has been continuously habitable for over 3 billion years. During that immense time the Earth has been subject to considerable environmental perturbation, resulting from both intrinsic and extrinsic forces. These range from the smaller-scale, such as solar radiation changes from orbital forcing mechanisms, to the very large scale, such as an asteroid strike. The biosphere has shown considerable resilience to environmental perturbation and provides the only quantifiable measure of habitability available to us in the Cosmos.

In this project, the group seeks to examine and quantify the response of the biosphere to different levels of perturbation.

>> More details about the project can be found here <<

Supervisors: Mark Williams, Tom Harvey, Sergei Petrovskiy and John Maltby
Contact: Mark Williams (mri@le.ac.uk)

Project manager position for the EU MSCA Doctoral Network “TALENTS”

TALENTS is a European research network that bridges fundamental geosciences with industry applications to help build a low-carbon future.

Their joint research focuses on continental rifts, which are key regions for geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, for new resources such as native hydrogen but also high-risk human habitats due to geohazards such as earthquakes and volcanic activity.

TALENTS fuses research and training at 18 beneficiaries and academic partners that are among the world leaders in the study of rift systems and 11 companies that are actively involved in the energy transition. 12 talented doctoral researchers are at the core of the network and will be hosted by partners in Germany, France, Italy, UK, Greece, Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands.

4️⃣ Four years full time

📅 Start date is 1st January 2024

:hourglass_flowing_sand: deadline for application is August 31st 2023

:point_right: More details on the call can be found here

PhD Opportunities In Interdisciplinary Space Sciences and Planetary Research in Austria

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

The application process has two stages designed to decrease selection biases:

  • Stage 1: applications are submitted through an anonymised questionnaire (deadline: July 7)
  • Stage 2: selected applicants are invited for an interview.

Expectations for the candidates:

  • Early-career researchers who are interested in an interdisciplinary exchange based on a solid university education in at least one subject of natural sciences or engineering.
  • Candidates who would like to actively join the YRP@Graz initiative, helping to develop the tradition of the involved institutes.
  • Excellent researchers who have the courage to cross scientific borders in a responsible way and to support the international societies with their research.
  • Team players who aspire to continue their skill development, as well as to support the research location Graz.

>> Details about the offered projects can be found here <<

New position for working with SERENA ion sensors at the IAPS (Italy)

Data analysis and laboratory tests for the characterization of the ion sensors of the BepiColombo/SERENA experiment

The BepiColombo SERENA experiment includes four sensors (MIPA and PICAM ion sensors, ELENA energetic neutral atom detector and STROFIO mass spectrometer) and a System Control Unit (SCU). Only the ion sensors can perform scientific operations during the cruise phase that will last up to 2026. Essential activities to be done in this phase are:

  • development of tools for data analysis, and optimization of the scientific product definition of the two SERENA ion sensors, PICAM and MIPA, for maximizing the scientific results during the whole mission (cruise and nominal phases);
  • laboratory activities for inter-calibrations between the two ion sensors and checking the System Control Unit performances. The spare and demonstration models available on the ground will be used for laboratory measurements to reproduce the flight observations.

:one: one year with a possible extension for other years.

:hourglass_flowing_sand: deadline for application is June 23, 2023

:point_right: the call can be found on the IAPS page

:heavy_plus_sign: For more details please contact Anna Milillo

Postdoctoral position in Analytical Chemistry/Geochemistry at the Institut Origines in Marseille (France)

Applications for a postdoctoral position to work on molecular evolution related to post-impact processes generated after interplanetary bodies impact of the early Earth is open, between the ASTRO’team of the PIIM laboratory and the Evolution of Bioenergetics’team of the BIP laboratory at Aix-Marseille University, Institut Origines, Marseille, France.

The main task will consist in developing experiments simulating sub-surface environments, to understand how molecular diversity as observed in some meteorites could evolve once delivered at the surface of the early Earth. Environments to simulate will concern hydrothermal alteration in subsurface
allowing organic interactions with minerals and UV photons.

These experiments will address the hypothesis of an exogenous supply of organic matter via interplanetary bodies on telluric
planets, and its potential role in the emergence of prebiotic chemical systems. G. Danger, V. Vinogradoff (PIIM) and S. Duval (BIP) will supervise this position.

Organic and mineral production will be developed at the BIP and PIIM laboratories, and sample analyses will be performed using spectroscopic technics (GC-MS, FT-IR) and in collaboration with the CINAM laboratory (expert in imaging methods).

The candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment which will give him the opportunity to extend their knowledge. This project is part of the interdisciplinary research project EXOMIOLE supported by the “Institut Origines” and funded by the A*MIDEX Excellence program of Aix-Marseille University, and gathering several close laboratories in astrophysics (LAM), geology (CEREGE) and human sciences (CGGG).

The position is for one year, renewable for a second year upon mutual agreement. The starting date would be between autumn and the end of 2023, depending on the applicant’s availability.

Candidates must have a PhD in chemistry, physico-chemistry, geochemistry or in analytical chemistry by the date of appointment. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, list of publications, and a statement (2 pages max) explaining research interests and qualifications, and arrange for two letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin upon receipt until the position is filled and all applications received by the deadline will receive full consideration.

Application Deadline: July 15th, 2023
Attention To: Grégoire Danger, Simon Duval and Vassilissa Vinogradoff
Email for more info: gregoire.danger@univ-amu.fr, sduval@imm.cnrs.fr, vassilissa.vinogradoff@univamu.f

Group Coordinator position in leading theory group focused on the physics of life, alien life, and origins of life at the Arizona State University

Work with Professor Sarah Walker, principal investigator (PI), in managing her research group, through day-to-day supervision of research assistants, preparing and editing manuscripts, project and lab management while making a leading contribution, in liaison with the PI, in submitting grant proposals.

Main task: 60% of time involves leading coordination of a large multi-partner, multi-center world leading research group, and participation in developing high level research together with team and subgroup leaders. The person will also take part and receive training in the front-line research activities of the group for the other 40% of time.

The position is ideally suited for transitioning from a postdoc/tech position to learning to run a theory group, with the opportunity to lead science efforts to advance understanding of what life is.

📅Closing date: 5th May – 3:00pm MST(GMT-7)📅

For more info on the position click here, while here you will find full details and information on how to apply.

Two fully funded PhD positions at the University of Kent

You can now apply for two fully-funded PhD studentships in Astronomy and Planetary Science at the Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CAPS), University of Kent, starting in September 2023!

The group consists of 8 academics and 20 postgraduate students with research interests covering Solar System and Space Science, the Interstellar Medium, Star Formation, Galactic Structure, Astrochemistry and Astrobiology. 

There are four projects that are being offered on a competitive application process:

More details can be found here. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact prospective supervisors to discuss the research project before they apply. 

📅 The application deadline is Sunday April 23rd 2023 📅

New PhD opportunities

A few new exciting PhD positions have been added to our website!

From Origin of Life to Planetary Sciences, these projects are all around Europe – click here to check them out.