Category: Astrobiology

MARS POSTDOC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

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Current state: Approved
Department: Department of Geophysical Sciences
City: Chicago
State/Province: IL
Category: , , , ,
Country: USA
Contact Person: Edwin Kite
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: University of Chicago
Application Due Date: Saturday, December 20 2014
Web Link: http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~kite

The Department of the Geophysical Sciences at The University of Chicago seeks to hire a postdoctoral researcher to support investigations of the early climate of Mars through analysis of Mars topography and forward modeling of topographic change. The successful candidate will work with Assistant Professor Edwin Kite to assemble, analyze, and model crater-modification and crater-infilling datasets. Candidates should have a background in Planetary Science, Earth Science, or Astrophysics, and have experience working with large datasets. Experience with Mars is helpful but is not required. Start date is flexible. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to develop a program of independent research aligned with the objectives of the group (as exemplified by the projects listed at http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~kite/proposals/), as well as to mentor undergraduate students. The University of Chicago hosts a vibrant planets and exoplanets research program, with particular emphasis on potentially habitable planets: http://geosci.uchicago.edu/planetary-science-planetary-atmospheres-and-e… Application materials should be received by December 20 for full consideration. Applicants should send a CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and the names of three referees as a single PDF file to [email protected]. Please direct informal inquiries about this post to Edwin Kite ([email protected]).

Postdoctoral Position “Mars Analogues for Space Exploration”

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Current state: Approved
Department: Chemistry
City: Leiden
Category: ,
Country: Netherlands
Contact Person: Pascale Ehrenfreund
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: Leiden Institute
Application Due Date: Wednesday, January 01 2014

We are seeking an enthusiastic and excellent Postdoctoral Fellow to work for the newly funded EU FP7 Framework Program MASE: Mars Analogues for Space Exploration. The program targets

the limits of life on Earth and how we can detect life in extreme environments. The project involves partners from across Europe as well as international partners. The position is for

2.5 years and will be based in the Astrobiology Group at Leiden Institute of Chemistry. Candidates motivated in working on analogue research in support of future space exploration are

invited to apply.

 

Responsibilities will include:

?? Support of campaigns at selected terrestrial analogue sites to study their geological context, and to acquire pre-screened samples using in-situ portable instruments.

?? Investigation of the habitability context on site in comparison with remote sensing data.

??Post-analysis of collected samples in the laboratory to further investigate the mineralogy, organic matter content, and biota using extraction and analytical methods.

?? Characterisation of the environmental context for organic/life detection of the selected analogue sites using the combined dataset.

The research goal is to refine search methodologies and strategies in conditions similar to those expected on Mars and other planetary objects through a combination of field research,

coordinated multi-instrument data and ground sample analysis.

 

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in chemistry, geochemistry, biochemistry or related disciplines at commencement of employment. The applicant must have laboratory experience in

spectroscopic and analytical methods. The postdoc is expected to travel for field campaign support and collaboration between MASE partner institutes (in UK, Germany, Spain, France,

Iceland) and to function in a multidisciplinary research team (EU FP7 framework). Engineering background and interest in space research will be an advantage; Good English knowledge is

essential.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a statement of research experience, and two letters of recommendation. The starting date for the positions can be as early as January

1, 2014. Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled.

 

Please send all information and questions to:

Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund?Leiden Institute of Chemisty?

P O Box 9502?2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands?

Email: [email protected]

Postdoctoral Opportunity in Martian Geobiology

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Current state: Approved
Department: Exobiology group
City: Orleans
Category: , ,
Country: France
Contact Person: Dr. Frances Westall
Contact Email: [email protected]
Institution: CNRS
Application Due Date: Wednesday, January 01 2014

The FP7-funded MASE project (Mars Analogue Sites on Earth) seeks to determine the survivability of anaerobic microorganisms isolated from extreme terrestrial environments and

subjected to various Mars-related environmental stresses. However, since it is unlikely that life could survive at the surface of the planet under its present oxidizing and radiation

conditions, the ultimate goal is to determine what biosignatures could be preserved in rocks dating from the time on Mars when life may have flourished at the surface (Early-Mid

Noachian). The environmentally-abused anaerobes will be artificially fossilized and processed to imitate potential microfossils in Noachian-age martian rocks and the ensuing

biosignatures will be analysed in order to determine what might be preserved.

We seek a biogeoscientist for a 3 year postdoctoral position starting in mid 2014 to participate in this exciting and hugely timely project to detect biosignatures on Mars. The

candidate should ideally have some experience in biogeology, for instance in microbe-mineral interactions, and the analytical techniques needed to analyse the microorganisms (electron

microscopy, GC-MS, HPLC, Raman/IR spectroscopy etc.). 

Interested candidates are requested to send their CVs by email to:

Dr. Frances Westall ([email protected])

Head Exobiology Group, CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Mol?culaire, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orl?ans cedex 2, France

Ames Research Center Job Announcement AR13B0014, Research Space Scientist, Planetary Studies

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Current state: Approved
City: Moffett Field
State/Province: California
Category:
Country: USA
Institution: NASA Ames Research Center
Application Due Date: Friday, September 27 2013
Web Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/349635800

 NASA, the world’s leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission
demands.

The Exobiology Branch (Code SSX) at NASA Ames Research Center is currently seeking interested applicants for the position of Research Space Scientist. The incumbent is responsible for conducting
microbiological and/or geologic research to identify biosignatures that characterize past/present life in environments related to astrobiology.
He/she studies the origin, composition, structure, and evolution of the solar system, including planets and satellites; the Earth and Moon; and meteorites, asteroids, comets and dust. As a Research
Space Scientist, the incumbent is responsible for conducting research involving modern field samples, ancient terrestrial rocks, meteorites, extraterrestrial materials, ices, Mars analog rocks, and
returned data from spaceflight missions. He/she conducts research that emphasizes on the elucidation and characterization of modern, ancient, or extraterrestrial habitable zones and mineral
biosignature. This includes the evaluation of preservation potential related to biosignatures; primary/secondary mineral phases associated with habitable zones; and the development of databases,
microbial specimens, and geological collections for planetary studies and spacecraft missions.