Post Doctoral Research Associate

The position is for a post-doctoral researcher to work on an STFC-funded project titled `Exploring the fundamentals of impact capture to maximize future dust collections’.

Dust is a fundamental component of our solar system, providing a snapshot of the source composition and a valuable window into the processes by which these bodies or regions have formed and evolved. Collection of this dust in space is, however, performed via high-speed capture into a variety of media, resulting in high pressures and temperatures that can alter particles. This project aims to determine the most appropriate methods to collect cosmic dust for three mission scenarios relating to space mission/experiment concepts currently in development:

• The collection of dust from the volcanic plumes of Io,
• The collection of dust from icy plumes of Enceladus,
• The opportunistic collection of dust in the Near-Earth environment by space hardware.

These will be investigated by simulating dust capture using the two-stage light gas gun at the University of Kent, and studying the samples that are generated.

The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team across physics, planetary science, chemistry and biosciences, using a range of analytical instrumentation including optical and electron microscopes, GC-MS, MP-AES  and Raman spectroscopy to assess the performance of different available capture media. They will also join our active external collaborations with members of Io and Enceladus dust sampling mission concept teams, providing key underpinning data for these, and future, mission concepts.

As a post doctoral research associate you can expect to be involved in :

• Preparing projectiles for use in analogue work: For Io samples, this will include grinding down bulk samples and sieving resulting powders. For Enceladus samples, this will include working with chemicals, biomolecules and microbes.
• Producing impact analogues using the light gas gun facility: The gun is maintained and operated by Dr Luke Alesbrook, but the researcher is responsible for the setup and retrieval of their samples (pre- and post-shot respectively) and is expected to assist with the setup and cleaning of the gun. The opportunity also exists (for those who are keen) to learn to operate it during the course of the project.
• Analysing pre- and post-impact analogue samples using a range of analytical instrumentation including optical microscopes (mineralogical and biological), scanning electron microscopes, GC-MS, MP-AES and Raman spectroscopy, and methods appropriate for bio-related samples such as PCR and NMR.
• Interpreting data.
• Using computer modelling to determine the peak shock pressures and temperatures experienced during an impact to aid interpretations i.e., use of python, spreadsheets etc, will be required.
• Presenting findings through presentations and publications.

 What you will bring to the role :

• PhD (obtained or near completion) or equivalent research experience in planetary sciences, Earth sciences, materials sciences, chemistry or similar. Priority will be given to those with skills/experience/interests particularly relevant to the topic of this project. 
• Experience working in a scientific laboratory environment 
• Evidence of research excellence, including publications in internationally competitive journals and conference presentations
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office packages 

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