PhD Studentship in Astrobiology Available from 1st October 2023

Full Time, 3 Year Studentship available from 1 October 2023

Closing Date :  22 February 2023 - 12:00 Noon

AstrobiologyOU invites applications for the following project:

How to Find Life on Mars: Investigating biological potential and putative biosignature formation

Project Highlights

• Guaranteed funding from the UK Space Agency.
• Conduct Mars analogue experiments using state-of-the-art simulation facilities to investigate biosignature formation.
• Support the Mars2020 mission by evaluating the biological potential of locations within Jezero Crater.

Develop expertise in mineral biosignature formation by combining geochemistry with microbiology.

Further details

The full project description, information about training and eligibility can be found at the following address: PHD STUDENTSHIPS | School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences | School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences (open.ac.uk)

Students should have a strong background in geochemistry/ mineralogy/planetary science and an interest in microbiology. The successful student will join the well-established AstrobiologyOU (more details will be found here) and a vibrant postgraduate community at The Open University.

How to apply

Applications should include:

• a cover letter outlining their motivation for doing a PhD, why this specific project is of interest and how their skills (technical and transferable) match those required of this project,
• an academic CV containing contact details of three academic referees,
• an OU application form, downloadable from: https://www.open.ac.uk/students/research/system/files/documents/application-form-uk.docx   

Applications should be sent to STEM-EEES-PHD@open.ac.uk by 12.00pm (noon) on

22^nd February 2023. Interviews will be held week commencing 6^th March 2023 either in person or remotely via videoconference.

Equal opportunity is University policy

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