A stimulating opportunity for a postdoctoral research position (F/M) up to two-year is available at the ASTRO Team of the PIIM laboratory of CNRS/Aix-Marseille University to perform space weathering experiments on solar system analogs.

The project is part of French Research National Agency grant, ORGAMISS project. The project intends to question the fate of organic matter in mineral matrices at the surface of airless bodies through irradiation experiments, and define biases for the detection of OM in solar system bodies, especially asteroids and Mars. The experiments will be performed in collaboration between different laboratories in France (PIIM, IAS, LISA) and will be analyzed mainly with infrared spectroscopy for direct comparison with extraterrestrial samples and remote observations. This experimental work is to tackle some of the most intriguing questions around organic matter: its preservation or destruction favoured by specific conditions (type of irradiation) with minerals on the surface of extraterrestrial bodies. The goal of the project is to create a database of samples that could be used for space mission data.

The preferred candidate will have a PhD (or close to completion) in astrochemistry, planetary sciences, chemistry or a closely related field, with knowledge and familiarity in spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV, Raman) and experimental works. The candidate will join a vibrant astrochemistry research group within the PIIM laboratory (ASTRO team) in Marseille, France.

Review of applications will begin on 18/11/2024 until the position is filled. Please send a CV, a description of research interests, a publication list, and email addresses of 2-3 referees as a single PDF file- to Vassilissa Vinogradoff. The starting date is expected to be January-February 2025.

For more details click here.

Context:
For the past 15 years, the ASTRO team at the PIIM laboratory of CNRS/Aix-Marseille University has been investigating the origin of organic matter in the solar system, focusing on its potential role in prebiotic chemistry on early Earth. They have developed experimental approaches and analytical methods to study the chemistry of dense molecular clouds, the formation of protoplanetary disks, and the incorporation of primitive organic matter into asteroids and comets. This matter, potentially delivered to Earth via meteorites 4.3 to 3.8 billion years ago, may have contributed to the emergence of life.

Objectives of the scientific project:
The project aims to advance analytical methodologies, particularly using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS), to characterize organic matter in extraterrestrial samples like meteorites and mission returns. The candidate will contribute to liquid chromatography analyses and methodology development, while supporting other team projects.

The ASTRO team already has significant experience in high-resolution mass spectrometry and seeks a candidate with expertise in HPLC-MS and data analysis related to these techniques.

• Application Deadline: Open until filled
• Starting date: January 2025
• End Date: January 2027

For more details click here, while you can contact Prof Grégoire Danger if you have any questions.

There is a 17-month Post Doctoral Research Associate position available at the University of Manchester to undertake research into heavy noble gas isotopic signatures in extraterrestrial samples.

Please see this link for further information, and details of how to apply.

Closing date 8^th October 2024

The appointed Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) will undertake research on the use of image analysis to assess whether natural materials (e.g., from the early Earth or other planetary bodies) are biological in origin. This work will further the objectives of the Human Frontiers Science Program grant “Unambiguous Biosignatures for Life Detection”. The PDRA will take advice and supervision from Sean McMahon and the external PIs of this project. The aim of the grant is to develop new strategies for discriminating between non-biological and biological materials and patterns, i.e., for recognizing “biosignatures”, by leveraging new “big data” approaches, while also addressing the fundamental question of how, and to what extent, biology differs from non-biology.

Location: University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Application deadline: August 20th

Start date: December 2024

Project duration: 3 years

This is a full-time position based within the UK Center for Astrobiology in the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems in the School of Physics and Astronomy. The key contacts are S. McMahon (University of Edinburgh), J. Cleaves (Howard University) and M. van Zuilen (Naturalis Biodiversity Centre). Applicants with experience in extracting quantitative descriptions of shapes and structures from image data and analysing the results (e.g., with machine learning methods) are encouraged to apply. 

Apply here!