Category: PhD

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.

PhD fellowship funded by the Italian Space Agency

Where: Università G. d’Annunzio – Chieti
Duration: 3 years, including 6 months abroad (Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität
Münster) + 3 months (c/o Italian Space Agency, Rome)
Doctoral program: GEOSCIENCE
Title: “Geological mapping of lunar landing sites and the MATISSE webtool”
Tutor: Lucia Marinangeli lucia.marinangeli@unich.it
Application deadline: 3 December 2024 12:00 pm CET
Colloqium (in person or virtual): 11 December 2024 9:00 am CET
More info: https://www.scuolasuperiore.unich.it/node/7244

OBJECTIVES:
With the ARTEMIS exploration program bringing a new human crew to the lunar surface in 2026 as the first phase for the construction of a permanent human base, preparatory activities for the study of landing sites by combining multi-sensor data of different resolution and scale are fundamental for defining potential in situ resource utilization (ISRU).

With this project we want to propose an integrated approach for data analysis aimed at detailed geological analysis for the definition and valorization of in situ resources for the ISRU through the production of a geological cartography with standardization of the units that allows the definition of guidelines for the characterization of the new landing sites planned in the south pole of the Moon.

Currently, thanks to the availability of better spatial resolution orbital data together with remote spectral data to determine the composition of the surface material, it has been possible to review the geological interpretation of the Apollo landing sites [1-4] providing new details on the stratigraphic evolution of rock units and their correlation with samples brought to Earth. Preliminary work on geological mapping applied to the ISRU [5] highlighted the potential of the Apollo 17 site thanks to the geological diversity and the type of rocks that can allow the successful extraction of hydrogen and methane.
For this reason, the research activities will focus on the Apollo 17 site following the cartographic approach of [1-4] adding both a morphological and stratigraphic study deriving from the photographic repertoire acquired by the astronauts, and the compositional information of the rock samples and soil brought to Earth and available in the NASA Curation Office archive.

Based on the study and the geothematic maps that will be produced, analyzes will be carried out on the potential of the mapped material for the ISRU.
The integrated approach of different types of data (multimission – multisensor – multispectral) for detailed and standardized geological cartography is fundamental for future studies of lunar landing sites. The data will be processed and/or calibrated and then inserted into a GIS system for the analysis and creation of digital maps.
This modus operandi will constitute a model that can be replicated in other sites.

The PhD student will spend 6-months abroad working at the Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster (tutor C. van der Bogert) to familiarize with the lunar dataset and cartographic methods. This institute in Münster has a long experience on geological mapping of the Moon.
In the final part of the project the student will work at the ASI-SSDC to upload the produced maps into the MATISSE online tool to make it accessible to the scientific community. MATISSE is the ASI-SSDC webtool dedicated to Solar System exploration missions, capable of showing the results both in classic two-dimensional visualizations, showing the data projected directly onto the three-dimensional shape of the selected target. In particular, this activity will be integrated into the current development of the tool aimed at planetary geology, expanding the possibility of searching for data also on the basis of advanced information available from geological maps.


In summary, the activities to be carried out will be:

  1. bibliographic research and review of available geological maps – 3 months
  2. selection of the areas of interest to analyze in detail, data processing and project preparation in the GIS environment of the study area – 6 months
  3. period abroad to acquire knowledge of lunar geological cartography – 6 months
  4. cartography of the chosen sites – 12 months
  5. definition of guidelines for the classification of geological units and potential values for the ISRU – 3 months
  6. data entry in MATISSE – 3 monthsthesis writing – 3 months

Bibliographic references:
[1] Iqbal W. et al. (2019) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 11, Icarus,
Volume 333, Pages 528-547
[2] Iqbal W. et al. (2020) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 12, Icarus,
Volume 352
[3] Iqbal W. et al. (2023) Geological mapping and chronology of lunar landing sites: Apollo 14, Icarus,
Volume 406
[4] Iqbal W. et al. (2024) New geological maps of Apollo 15 and Apollo 17 landing sites, LPSC, #1010
[5] van der Bogert et al. (2021) Science-rich Sites for In Situ Resource Utilization Characterization and Endto-
end Demonstration Missions, Planet. Sci. J., 2 84

PhD position in Experimental Volcanology & Fluid-Rock-Interaction in the context of the Emergence of Life at LMU (Munich, Germany)

Do you want to discover how and in which environments life could have originated on early Earth? The CRC 392 (collaborative research center) brings together young and experienced researchers to foster and grow our cross-disciplinary network on the Emergence of Life research. They will integrate the initial boundary conditions of early Earth from biophysics, geoscience, astronomy and chemistry for innovative lab experiments.

Apply for this PhD position in Experimental Volcanology & Fluid-Rock-Interaction in the context of the Emergence of Life at the  Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich!

This project explores shallow geothermal environments driven by magmatic activity on their potential to act as physical-chemical factories where prebiotic reactions are catalyzed by glass /mineral – fluid reactions. Shallow geothermal systems span a broad range of pressure, temperature and pH values, and their fluids often source from deeper sub-volcanic/magmatic regions, connected by system-spanning transport processes such as gas and fluid flow through a permeable fracture network.

The goals of this project are:

  • to explore chemical gradients and silicate-glass/mineral reactivity to e.g. liberate phosphorus, lanthanides;
  • to explore the fertilization capacity of volcanic ashes introduced into aqueous systems as erupted ash is known for its scavenging capacity binding salts and is via volcanic lightning also a likely source for as possible source for simple prebiotic compounds ( such as NH3, HCN,..);
  • to expand the current understanding of fluid-rock interactions under early earth conditions and chemical reactions from shallow to deeper environments to bridge the gap between shallow geothermal and sub-volcanic/magmatic systems.

The group seeks an outstanding and highly motivated candidate, eager to work in a highly interdisciplinary research group. Experience in experimental laboratory work, as well as in optical, petrological and geochemical analysis (e.g. XRD, Raman, SEM, EMPA, xCT, XRD), will be highly beneficial. Candidates should have a MSc in a relevant area (petrology, geochemistry, volcanology, Earth sciences).

The PhD student will be hosted at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at LMU Munich. Within the CRC392 excellent interdisciplinary training, and networking activities are provided.

Apply with a CV, motivation letter, transcript of academic record, publications (if existing), and 2 references to Prof. Bettina Scheu <b.scheu@lmu.de>.

Evaluation of the applications will start immediately until the position is filled. The project can start in October 2024 and is funded for 3 years (TV-L-E13 (75%).

4 years PhD position at the Center of Astrobiology in Madrid (Spain)

A PhD position is available in the Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Biological Adaptation at the Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA).

Study of the role of queousine nucleoside precursors in resistance to extreme conditions of microbial communities

The thesis project will consist of the study of the function of the queuosine (Q) nucleoside precursors as signaling molecules involved in the stability and resistance to extreme conditions of microbial communities. In our research group we have discovered that the modification of tRNA by Q is a molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of resistance, biofilm formation and virulence in most bacterial species (Díaz-Rullo and González-Pastor, NAR 2023). We have also proposed that Q precursors, produced by some bacterial species, would function as signaling molecules involved in the control of the aforementioned biological processes in other species within the communities. In this thesis project, this hypothesis will be tested experimentally using synthetic communities of Q precursor-producing and non-producing bacteria. In addition, functional metagenomics will be used to search for inhibitors of Q biosynthesis to explore their involvement in microbial communities and their potential applications in biotechnology as antibiofilm and antimicrobial compounds. This research will be funded by the EU HORIZON projects: “BlueTools” (2022-2026) and “EXTREM” (2024-2028), and the National Plan project “METACIRCLE” (2022-2025).

The call for this predoctoral contract will be published on the website of the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (www.inta.es) at the end of July 2024.

Contact: Eduardo González-Pastor

Several PhD positions in astrobiology/space science available in Italy

Some exciting projects are being advertised in several Italian universities!

  1. The following 5 calls can be checked out at this link:
  • Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae for Long-Duration Space Missions (University of Cagliari)
  • Molecular modifications induced by altered gravity in epithelial barrier integrity and evaluation of innovative countermeasures to mitigate its dysfunction (University of Pisa)
  • Human Life Science and Space Medicine – Physiological and biological bases of space adaptations: quantitative approaches (University of Rome Tor Vergata)
  • Space Farming in microgravity (Thales Alenia Space Italia s.p.a. & University of Turin)
  • Astro-Pharmacology: the cure beyond Earth (and better on Earth) (Univeristy of Turin)

2. The following call can be checked out at this link:

A project in geology with astrobiology implications. The project can:

  • follow the Master’s thesis if related to the geo-theme
  • be written following the topics of interest listed in the announcement of the 40th cycle (link above)
  • be written from scratch following the usual project style (state-of-the-art, methodology, objectives, and impact)

The group has an FT-IR spectrometer and a lab where they can make magma.

If you have any questions regarding the second opportunity, you can email Dr. Alessandro Pisello

3-year PhD scholarship in Origins of Life research at the Aix-Marseille University (France)

The aim is to develop, under the supervision of Prof. Grégoire Danger and in collaboration with Dr. Robert Pascal and Dr Vassilissa Vinogradoff, prebiotic chemistry experiments to understand the chemistry occurring in the context of the early Earth.

The research will be carried out within the ASTRO team at the Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires (PIIM) laboratory of the Aix-Marseille University in France. This team is part of the Origins Institute.

Application Deadline: June 1st, 2024
Starting date: October, 2024
End Date: October, 2027

>> Click here << for details on the role and how to apply.

For further information, please contact Grégoire Danger.

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.

PhD project “FLow / ExocUbe expeRiments of Life bioSignaturEs preservation in saLts” between Paris and Bordeaux (France)

PhD position starting in autumn 2024 offered between the National Museum of Natural History in Paris (PI A. Kish) and the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux (PIs A. Cario and S. Marre), for the project Fleur de Sel (FLow / ExocUbe expeRiments of Life bioSignaturEs preservation in saLts).

The project aims to study the conservation of biosignatures in halites, combining in situ approaches (ExocubeHalo – ISS) and in the lab using microfluidics (developed at ICMCB).

This PhD project will be co-funded by both CNES and PEPR Origines (French Research Agency), thus, the application process is in two stages: first on the CNES website (the deadline is March 15th, click here), and then the successful candidate will be selected for the other funding of the project.

For more details, click >>here<<