Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Planetary Geochemistry)

Location: Milton Keynes

Terms: Full Time, 32-month Fixed Term (contract end no later than 31 March 2026)

Closing Date: 8 March 2023 noon

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

This post is funded through STFC to generate new understanding of the geochemistry of the ice shell on Jupiter’s moon Europa.

You will use an experimental approach explore the formation of salt-rich ices generated by dynamic processes such as brine-and-ice volcanism, building a comprehensive picture of their potential diversity and relationship to the subsurface ocean. You will combine cryogenic laboratory experiments with analytical tools to investigate composition and structure of ices delivered to Europa’s surface, informing observations by upcoming missions such as the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer and Europa Clipper. You will be welcomed into the Open University’s vibrant planetary science and astrobiology research communities, joining an interdisciplinary team investigating the potential for life beyond Earth.

Skills and experience

You will have a PhD (or shortly to be obtained) in planetary science, geochemistry, chemistry, geology, or a related discipline, with an excellent understanding of icy moon inorganic geochemistry, particularly as it relates to possible ocean-surface exchange processes.

You will also have practical experience of experimental and analytical laboratory approaches.

See the attached Job Description (here) for further details and desirable qualities.

If you have any questions regarding the scientific aspects of the role before applying, please contact Mark Fox-Powell (mark.fox-powell@open.ac.uk)

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs. 

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 30/33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days. 

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks. 

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