Project Officer - PROSPECT ISRU

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 December 2028

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About the Role

The Open University is seeking to appoint a Project Officer to support the experimental, technical and data-focused activities associated with the ESA PROSPECT mission, with a particular emphasis on in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) experiments and ProSPA operations development. The role will contribute directly to the validation of PROSPECT science requirements, optimisation of ProSPA operational modes, and preparation of a data pipeline for use by the PROSPECT Science Team (PST).

The postholder will work closely with academic Investigators, the ProSPA industrial team, and ESA to ensure that ISRU experiments, data pipeline and operational elements of the project are delivered to a high scientific and technical standard.

The ProSPA instrument, within the PROSPECT payload, will demonstrate ISRU through the hydrogen reduction of ilmenite to produce water on the lunar surface. Unlike conventional laboratory approaches, ProSPA relies on diffusion-driven gas transport under lunar-relevant pressure and temperature conditions, placing strong constraints on experimental design, operational sequencing and data interpretation.

This important ground-based experimental work using analogue materials, lunar simulants and Apollo soils is required to validate ProSPA operational parameters, understand reaction kinetics, and ensure that flight data can be reliably interpreted. In parallel, integrated data pipelines must be developed to combine instrument telemetry, mass spectrometer outputs and housekeeping data into accessible, calibrated datasets for PST members. 

Key Responsibilities 

The person appointed to this post will undertake duties to include: 

• Manage, plan, and coordinate Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) and ISRU experiments in collaboration with the wider PROSPECT Science team and the ProSPA industrial team.
• Conduct EGA and ISRU experiments using lunar simulants, as well as experiments on lunar soil samples using Bench Development Model/Qualification Model/Pre Flight Model at The Open University, across lunar-relevant pressure (P), temperature (T) and compositional (X) parameter space.
• Contribute to the build and commissioning of a ProSPA-representative ISRU manifold, incorporating flight-like valve configurations, a manifold block and pressure-sensing hardware.
• Support ISRU-related experiments investigating hydrogen reduction of ilmenite under diffusion-controlled conditions using representative manifolds and valve systems.
• Evaluate the effects of grain size and hydrogen pressure on reaction rates during hydrogen reduction experiments
• Use experimental results to inform recommendations for ProSPA operational modes and constraints.
• Assist in the preparation of user-focused documentation, including “How-To” guides describing data processing steps and data product usage.
• Make regular presentations to the project team and the wider PROSPECT Science Team to report progress, present results, and receive scientific and technical feedback.
• Prepare detailed technical reports summarising experimental methods, results and implications for ProSPA operations and PROSPECT science objectives.
• Contribute to the development of these reports into material suitable for inclusion in future peer-reviewed publications, in collaboration with Investigators and the PST.

Data Pipeline Development, Integration, processing and archiving:

• Development of data reduction and calibration pipelines for PROSPECT EGA and ISRU modes.
• Integration of ProSPA data pipeline software
• Coordinate with the PROSPECT Science team to ensure consistency in data reduction philosophy, formatting and documentation across datasets.
• Contribute to the processing and formatting of raw telemetry, Quicklook and calibrated datasets to ensure rapid, non-specialist access by PROSPECT Science Team members.
• Monitor and manage progress across experimental and data pipeline activities, ensuring alignment with project milestones and deliverables.
• Support the production of ISRU data products compliant with long-term archiving requirements.

All Staff are expected to: 

• Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety arrangements are complied with.
• Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
• Attend appropriate staff development events. 

About You 

Essential  

• A PhD in Physical Sciences or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable experience of building a data software pipeline
• A strong research and publications record commensurate with the extent of experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Well-developed self-management skills with the ability to prioritise work appropriately, deal with several competing demands and manage own time effectively.
• Willingness to be based in Milton Keynes at the Open University and to travel for off-site work and to attend meetings. 

Desirable 

• Experience of developing and implementing relevant research programmes and/or projects.
• Knowledge of health and safety issues when working in laboratory environments
• Knowledge of handling geological materials.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

This role will be based from our Milton Keynes campus 5 days per week. 

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Early closing date notification

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 500 words and should outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

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.

Closing date of 11:59pm on Tuesday 3^rd February 2026