Tag: Asteroids

Postdoctoral position on asteroid studies at The Open University

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the ICARUS project: Investigating Changes in Asteroid Regolith and Understanding Solar-driven Volatile Release in Near-Sun Asteroids. 

This role focuses on experimental petrology and high-resolution geochemical analysis to investigate how intense solar heating drives gas release and surface evolution in active near-Sun asteroids, with particular emphasis on asteroid [3200] Phaethon. The project combines cyclic heating experiments on meteorites with advanced analytical techniques, including SEM, Raman, near-IR spectroscopy, and impact ionisation mass spectrometry, to generate the essential ground-truth datasets required to interpret in-situ measurements from the DESTINY+ mission.

The successful candidate will lead laboratory-based research, contributing to experimental design, data acquisition, quantitative analysis, and interpretation, collaborating with international partners in Germany and Japan. This is primarily a research role with scope for limited teaching in line with institutional policy.

The successful candidate will be line managed by Dr Martin D. Suttle who serves as PI on the ICARUS project. 

Essential skills:

  • PhD (or submitted PhD thesis) in planetary science, geochemistry, meteoritics, experimental petrology, physics or a closely related field.
  • Strong laboratory-based analytical skills in mass spectrometry complemented by proficiency in at least three of the following techniques: SEM, EMPA, Raman spectroscopy, near-IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, and/or TEM. Ideally applied to the study of meteorite or planetary analogue materials.
  • Proven ability to design, execute, and interpret complex laboratory experiments independently.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a track record of publishing research in high-impact journals as lead author.
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally for collaborative work and conferences. 

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

Application deadline is on Wednesday June 24th 2026.

Summer School “Icy Bodies and Life” in Tartu, Estonia.

1 – 8 August, 2026

The summer school Icy Bodies and Life (Tartu, Estonia 1-8 August 2026) is going to provide the participant with comprehensive knowledge of icy bodies in the Solar System, from their formation in planetary systems to their role as potential habitats for life. This school is going to connect planetary science, astrochemistry, astrobiology, and space technology to examine how icy bodies like moons, comets, and asteroids form, evolve, and interact. During the school we will be carrying out asteroid observations with local telescopes.

The deadline for the application is May 30th 2026.

Application should include (a) a short CV (max 2 pages), (b) a motivation letter (only students from Estonian universities), and (c) a publication list (if applicable). Applicants will be informed about the outcome in due course after the application deadline.

Confirmed registration and payment deadline is June 15th, 2026. After your application is accepted, you will be sent more detailed information about registration and payment. Details on participation fees and the link to the application form can be found here.

See you in Tartu in August!