The detection of organic matter is a major focus of astrobiological space missions that aim to identify past or present life on the surface of Mars. Organic matter is delivered to the surface of the terrestrial planets through infall from meteorites and meteoritic dust but the fate of the meteoritic carbon is poorly understood. Photolysis by ultraviolet radiation (UV) is a potentially important mechanism for breakdown and recycling of organics, producing gases, including methane, and leaving behind an unidentified solid residue, which may provide an organic substrate for a potential biosphere on Mars.

The goal of this project is to investigate the full life cycle of meteoritic carbon under irradiation with high energy UV light. Measurements will be carried out using a wide range of state of the art analytical techniques including nano-scale secondary ionization mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), Secondary Electron Microscopy (SEM), cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), high precision isotope ratio mass spectrometry
and other gas chromatographic techniques. Therefore the project requires a scientist with extraordinary experimental skills and interest and the capabilities to evaluate and interpret the results from multiple different analytical instruments. The results are relevant for the interpretation of detections made by the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument on board the Curiosity Rover.

MSc degree in physics, chemistry or geosciences; particular interest and skills in experimental work; experience in data analysis; strong interest in astrobiology and/or meteorites; prior work experience in this field or with some of the techniques involved is a plus, but not required.

The candidate is offered a full-time position for four years at the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project. 

The gross salary starts at € 2,125 and increases to € 2,717 per month in the fourth year of the appointment.

Utrecht University has great ambitions for its teaching quality and study success rates. This also applies to its clear research profiles which are centred around four themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions, Life Sciences and Sustainability. Utrecht University plays a prominent role in our society and contributes to finding the answers to topical and future societal issues.

The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society. 

The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University offers a wide spectrum of education and research applied to the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and antroposphere. With a population of 2,600 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the faculty is a strong and dynamic organisation. In the Netherlands, the faculty is the largest academic institute in its field, and it has received the highest ratings in international assessments of geosciences in the Netherlands. The faculty embodies four departments: Earth Sciences; Physical Geography; Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences; and Human Geography & Urban & Regional Planning.

The project is a collaborative project between scientists in the faculties of Science and Geosciences of Utrecht University.

The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU) is an interfaculty research institute that focuses on the fundamental aspects of the climate system. Our mission is to contribute to the basic science of the oceans, atmosphere and cryosphere. To achieve this we try to maintain an open and stimulating research and study environment in which students and staff are inspired to give their best.

Research is organized in five main themes: ice and climate, ocean circulation and climate, atmospheric physics and chemistry, atmospheric dynamics and boundary layer meteorology and Coastal and shelf sea dynamics. The IMAU includes some 15 faculty members, 15 postdocs and 30 PhD students. The graduate programme is organized in the Buys Ballot research school.

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Prof. Thomas Röckmann, (+31-30-2533858, t.roeckmann@uu.nl) or Dr. Inge Loes ten Kate +31-30-2535065, I.L.tenKate@uu.nl).

To apply please attach a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and (email) addresses of two referees.

Review of applications will start on 15 September 2015 and continue until the position has been filled.

To apply, please click the button below.