Starting 2026 !
Professor position at the university of the Geneva in the field of the Origin of life
The Section of Chemistry and Biochemistry, together with the Centre sur la Vie dans l’Univers (CVU) of the University of Geneva are happy to announce the creation of a Chair of Excellence in the field of prebiotic chemistry aimed at exploring the Origin of Life.
The research area of the successful candidate should be in the broad field of prebiotic chemistry and or biochemistry of early life and its precursor(s); the transition from simple molecules towards more complex matter with Life-like features – a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution. The ideal candidate will have contributed major advances in the areas relevant to this field. Examples are: self-replicating systems, mechanisms to translate genetic information into a functional output such as catalysis or out-of-equilibrium assemblies, complex systems and their analysis, physico-chemical mechanisms of protocell emergence, ancient metabolic systems, evolution of cellular Life
ASSIGNMENT: Full-time position (40h/week). Duties include carrying out research at the highest international level, securing external funding and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Moreover, the successful candidate will supervise masters’ and doctoral theses and will take up administrative and organization duties, in particular in the CVU.
ACADEMIC TITLE REQUESTED: PhD or equivalent. Experience in research supervision and teaching experience. Publications in high-ranked international journals.
STARTING DATE: 2026, or upon mutual agreement.
APPLY HERE: https://jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_portal.show_job?p_web_site_id=1&p_web_page_id=72796
DEADLINE: March 15th 2026
STARTING DATE: September 2026, or upon mutual agreement.
Assistant Professor in Earth materials & mineral science
The department of Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Geosciences (Utrecht University) is looking for an assistant professor in Earth Materials & Mineral Sciences. Are you an expert that can address traditional earth and planetary sciences topics, while keeping an eye for how that knowledge can be used for modern societal challenges? Then we are curious to meet you! In addition to developing your own research line, you will be playing an essential role in education by inspiring students and developing innovative courses, such as in advanced mineralogy.
DEADLINE: 31st March 2026
STRATING DATE: 1st September 2026
Post-Doctoral Position on Astrochemistry/Planetology in Aix-Marseille University, PIIM Laboratory
Impact of space weathering to detect organic matter in mineral matrices simulating solar system bodies
This project investigates the origin and chemical evolution of extraterrestrial organic matter in past or present aqueous environments of Solar System bodies. Primitive bodies of our solar system, such as comets and asteroids, are rich in organic matter and their study can provide important information about the nature of the organic matter delivered to the planets and satellites of the solar system, which could have led to prebiotic chemistry. However, primitive bodies and planetary surfaces such as Mars are generally subject to space weathering (ultraviolet light, cosmic rays) due to the
absence (or negligible presence) of an atmosphere. For the detection of OM in solar system bodies, it is of paramount importance to know the extent to which space weathering will affect their detectability and attenuate OM signatures. This topic is in line with the return of samples from asteroids (Hayabusa 2, Osirix-Rex), the current and future mission to Mars (Curiosity-ExoMars), and the observations of small Solar System bodies (e.g. Ceres and the TNOs), especially with the new opportunities provided by JWST.
The preferred candidate will have a PhD (or close to completion) in astrochemistry, planetary sciences, chemistry or a closely related field, with knowledge and familiarity in spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV, Raman) and experimental works.
STARTING DATE: expected before July 2026