Tag: Planetary science

Mercury Postdoc position at The Open University

This STFC-funded Research and Innovation Associate (RIA) position for a post-doctoral researcher represents an exciting four year opportunity to join a three-University project at the core of the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) team for ESA’s BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter, whose 1-2 years orbital science mission at Mercury begins in March 2027. We anticipate a starting date between 1 June and 1 October 2026 (by mutual agreement) for this role.

MIXS will map and measure ratios and abundances of more than a dozen elements across Mercury’s surface, and in conjunction with other surface-looking instruments is expected to deliver a step-change in our understanding of Mercury’s geological history. 

The successful candidate will be based at the Open University to work with David Rothery and Mahesh Anand, but will do so in close collaboration with colleagues at Space Park Leicester, particularly Emma Bunce (MIXS Principal Investigator), Adrian Martindale (MIXS Instrument Scientist), John Bridges, and two recently-recruited RIAs. There will be opportunities to become involved in laboratory experiments to help to understand the remotely-sensed (principally XRF) properties of Mercury’s surface.

About you
You will hold a PhD in planetary science or a closely related field, with particular expertise in spacecraft data analysis, geochemistry, and/or X-ray fluorescence techniques. A strong publication record, evidence of independent research capability, and experience working within collaborative research environments are essential. Proficiency in ArcPro, Python and a solid grasp of planetary geological processes, especially those relevant to Mercury, will be key to your success in this role.

Essential:

  • PhD in planetary science or a closely related field.
  • Solid grasp of planetary geological processes, especially those relevant to Mercury.
  • The ability to present your research effectively both orally and in scientific writing.
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team, and to foster links with other teams.
  • A developing track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals.
  • Time management and project planning skills.
  • Ability and willingness to travel to partners’ locations.

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

Application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday 24th April 2026.

Planetary Sciences Lectureship at The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

The Open University is looking to recruit a lecturer in planetary science to work on the production of a new course (Planetary Science), with research opportunities.

As a Lecturer in Planetary Sciences, you will collaborate with colleagues in the production, delivery and assessment of modules within our Natural Sciences and Physics qualifications. You will be involved in the development of new content for the replacement of our Stage 2 distance learning planetary science module, and may also be asked to contribute to other areas of physics, planetary and space science or interdisciplinary science curriculum at various undergraduate or postgraduate levels. 

In addition to contributing to teaching within the School of Physical Sciences, you will be expected to carry out independent research and/or scholarship in an area that aligns with the strategic research priorities of the School of Physical Sciences. 

Remote and flexible working is an option, but you must be able to travel to Milton Keynes whenever required.  As this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office, there is an expectation that the role holder will work on campus up to 3 days per week. 

Skills required:
A PhD in planetary sciences or a closely related discipline.

Experience of teaching in planetary sciences or related areas, and enthusiasm for distance learning by adults and the application of new technologies to teaching and supporting students.

The ability to write clearly and concisely on topics in planetary sciences in an informed and inspiring manner with careful attention to detail, and the ability to prepare assessment material.

A track record in research commensurate with career stage, in an area which complements and enhances existing physical sciences research at the Open University.

An ability to work collaboratively, collegially and adaptively with others in an interdisciplinary context.

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written in a variety of contexts, including the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism.

An ability to plan, organise and complete work to agreed deadlines.

Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.

Want to apply?
All of the information you need can be found right here.

Application deadline is April 15th 2026.

Internal Research Fellow (postdoc) in Planetary Protection at the European Space Agency

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Independent Safety Office in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL).

This fellowship aims to advance the development of a risk-informed decision culture at ESA and application of probabilistic frameworks in the planetary protection domain. The overall goal is to support ESA planetary protection function on its effort to modernise current approaches with the use of new statistical models to assess biological and chemical contamination risks.

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection primary role is to develop mathematical frameworks to be used for modelling the probability to 1) transfer harmful contamination to solar system bodies for robotic or crewed missions (or a combination of both); 2) transfer harmful contamination from outer space to Earth.

As an internal researcher, the candidate will perform research activities exploring new ways or expanding the scope of existing studies to promote the use of risk-informed decision frameworks, prediction models, AI applied to planetary protection.

About you
You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference  will  be  given  to applications submitted by candidates within  five  years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:

PhD in data or computer science, machine learning, AI, statistics, mathematics, biophysics, bioinformatics.

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

Application deadline is April 3rd 2026 at 23:59 CET.

“Planetary Protection for sustainable space exploration” by The Royal Society

Royal Society Publishing has recently published an OPEN ACCESS theme issue of Philosophical Transactions A: Planetary Protection for sustainable space exploration compiled and edited by Karen Olsson-Francis, Athena Coustenis, Peter Doran, Petra Rettberg, Niklas Hedman and Jean-Claude Worms and the articles are FREE to access at www.bit.ly/TransA2314

About this issue

Planetary protection has recently gained increased attention from the broader scientific community, primarily driven by the rise of new spacefaring nations and the expanding role of private and commercial entities in space exploration. In response to these evolving dynamics, the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy is being refined to accommodate these more complex and ambitious missions. This theme issue highlights the need for a transparent approach for planetary protection, where international collaboration is actively pursued, including the sharing of best practices and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to help ensure that space exploration benefits future generations.
The issue is based on the contributions presented at the Inaugural International COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) Planetary Protection Week held in London on April 2024 and at other COSPAR Planetary Protection Meetings.

List of papers

Planetary protection for safe and sustainable space exploration
Karen Olsson-Francis et al.

The COSPAR panel on planetary protection and the COSPAR policy on planetary protection: an overview of governance and activities
Niklas Hedman et al.

Testing the hypothesis, ‘planetary protection is expensive’ from the ESA perspective
Silvio Sinibaldi & Albert Haldemann

Proposed updates to the COSPAR planetary protection policy for missions to icy worlds
Peter Doran et al.

Habitability and exchange processes on the Jovian moons: implications for planetary protection measures
Gabriel Tobie et al.

Survival limits of psychrotolerant microorganisms with relevance for planetary protection of the icy moons
Tommaso Zaccaria, Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic, Marien I de Jonge, Mihai G Netea & Petra Rettberg

Planetary protection considerations for Dragonfly at Titan
Ralph D Lorenz, Shannon MacKenzie, Mihaela Ballarotto, Kenneth Hibbard & Elizabeth P Turtle

Isolator/glovebox technical challenges for the curation of samples returned from Mars
John MC Holt et al.

An ensemble binning approach to identify functional diversity in cleanroom environments
Michael C Macey, Alexander Mahnert, Ben P Stephens, Ezgi Kucukkilic-Stephens & Karen Olsson-Francis

Co-enrichment of Ce and organics in microbe-like structures at the deep-sea ferromanganese crust surface
Ayaka Tokumaru et al.

Postdoctoral Research position in Astrochemistry/Planetology

The team of the project ORGAMISS within the ASTRO team of the PIIM laboratory in Marseille (France) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the impact of space weathering to detect organic matter in mineral matrices simulating solar system bodies.

This project investigates the origin and chemical evolution of extraterrestrial organic matter in past or present aqueous environments of Solar System bodies. The project will experimentally simulate the fate of organic matter on the surface of bodies (asteroids, Mars) using analogs and meteorites and define biases for the detection of OM in mineral matrices.

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 should have demonstrated skills for experiments and/or analytics during the PhD or postdoctoral positions.

For more information, click here (PDF file).

The starting date is expected before July 2026.
Please send a CV, a description of research interests, a publication list, and email addresses of 2 referees as a single PDF file to Vassilissa.vinogradoff@univ-amu.fr

British Planetary Science Conference (BPSC), UK, 2026

The British Planetary Science Conference will be hosted by the University of St Andrews, from 9-11th June 2026.

Registration for BPSC 2026 is now open and the registration portal can be found here.

Online registration is open til Wednesday 27th May, with the early registration deadline on Saturday 9th May. The abstract submission deadline is also on Saturday 9th May.

BPSC2026 will cover the wide range of our community’s interests including meteorites, sample return missions, Mars, the Moon and more. We want BPSC2026 to bring together planetary scientists from across disciplines and institutions to promote a collegiate and supportive space to discuss and present new ideas and results.

For more information, visit the event’s website here.

Postdoctoral Research position in (Exo)planetary Climate Modelling

A Postdoctoral Researcher wanted for a 3-year full-time position in (Exo)Planetary Climate Modelling to join the newly established research group of Dr João M. Mendonça at the University of Southampton: https://software-oasis.com/.

The successful candidate will primarily work on the development and enhancement of the OASIS model, contributing to new physical parameterisations, numerical algorithms, and/or performance optimisation. They will also lead the application of the new code developments to open questions in Solar System and Exoplanet research. Applicants with backgrounds in (exo)planetary climate science, atmospheric physics, applied mathematics, or computer science are particulary welcome.

You can find the link to the new postdoc position here: https://jobs.soton.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=3267925WF
The application deadline is 14 January 2025.

UKPF Early Career Meeting (United Kingdom), January 9th 2026

Registration and abstract submission is now open for the 19th UK Planetary Forum Early Careers Meeting (ECM), which will be held on Friday 9th January 2026, hosted by the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, at the Birkbeck Clore Management Centre, in Bloomsbury, London. The UKPF ECM is designed to bring together early career researchers from across the UK for a day of networking and knowledge sharing. This event provides a supportive environment for early career scientists to present their research to peers and receive constructive feedback, offering valuable preparation for larger, international conferences. Presentations will include both talks and posters, showcasing the diversity of work taking place in planetary science. We welcome contributions from all aspects of planetary science, including but not limited to: planetary surfaces, interiors, atmospheres and magnetospheres, habitability and astrobiology, meteorites, (exo)planets and their moons.

Date: Friday 9th January 2026
Location: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre, Torrington Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7JL
Cost: Completely free!
Registration Link: UKPF ECM 2026 Registration Form
Registration deadline: Wednesday 17th December 2025.
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday 31st October 2025 (23:59)

Abstract Submission: Please use the abstract template as a guide. Abstracts should be uploaded via the upload link in the registration form. Max. one A4 page only including figures and references. The abstract upload link will open a new tab in your browser window. ​Please ensure you return to the original form to complete your registration.

Attendees are encouraged to join in person, but virtual attendance will also be offered for those unable to travel. For enquiries regarding accessibility, registration or abstract submission, please contact ukpf-ecm-2026@ucl.ac.uk. For more information, check out the meeting page on the UKPF 2026 website.

2 Postdoctoral Research positions – The Open University

The Open University (Milton Keynes, United Kingdom) is recruiting researchers for two postdoctoral positions in the field of planetary science/cosmochemistry.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 15th October. For more information follow these links:

  1. Postdoc in the field of Primitive Asteroids:

https://jobs.open.ac.uk/job/Post-Doctoral-Research-Associate-Primitive-Asteroids/1050-en_GB

Job listing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4302331461/?capColoOverride=true

  1. Postdoc in the field of Differentiated Meteorites:

https://jobs.open.ac.uk/job/Post-Doctoral-Research-Associate-Differentiated-Meteorites/1062-en_GB

Job listing on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4302322720/?capColoOverride=true

Exploring Otherness on Earth and Beyond: Bridging the Gap Between Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities – April 9-11 2025 in Berlin, Germany

The upcoming conference, “Exploring Otherness on Earth and Beyond: Bridging the Gap Between Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities,” will take place at Freie Universität Berlin (campus Lankwitz) from April 9 to 11, 2025. This event, funded by the European Astrobiology Institute and the Einstein Foundation, aims to explore the concept of otherness through the lenses of various disciplines and foster a multidisciplinary dialogue.

The conference will feature sessions on:

  • Other Life: Search for alien life
  • Other Worlds: Colonization of the Moon and Mars
  • Other Earth: Alien environments and human catastrophes
  • Philosophical and theological views on otherness
  • Communication science and psychology

With a planned attendance of approximately 50 participants, the conference will include a mix of invited and contributed oral presentations. Participation is by application and invitation, and early registration is recommended. A limited budget is available for partial travel support.

Registration, including abstract submissions, will close on Wednesday February 5 2025. The organizing committee may need to limit participation based on the number of applications. Registered participants will be notified about their status shortly after the registration deadline.

The full conference announcement is available >>here<<.

The conference is organized by members of an Einstein circle in collaboration with the European Astrobiology Institute. For any inquiries, please contact Christoph Gross.