Planetary Research Jobs

Offer Description

Of the rocky bodies in the Solar System, we know that volcanic activity is ongoing on Earth, on Io (a satellite of Jupiter), and on Venus. Could Mars be the fourth one?

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) spacecraft has two spectrometer suites, ACS and NOMAD, which detect trace gases along vertical atmospheric profiles via occultation sounding. One of the objectives of the TGO mission has been to determine whether this technique can reveal the presence of gases of volcanic origin in the atmosphere, from which active volcanism would be inferred. Since 2019, at the beginning of the aphelion season ACS measurements have detected hydrogen chloride (HCl) molecules in the lower atmosphere, with a concentration increasing toward the surface above the large rift system of Alba Mons, one of the giant volcanoes of Mars.

These detections are hardly explained by atmospheric chemistry. In a paper in press (Trokhimovskiy et al., 2026, Science Advances) we argue that volcanic seeping provides the most plausible explanation for these HCl detections. The latest ground deformation occurred less than 1 million years ago, generating fissures that provide potential pathways for volcanic gases to reach the atmosphere.

The EXOMHYCL project of the National Science Centre (NCN) of Poland investigates the geological conditions making possible such HCl seepage on Mars. We announce an open competition for the position: Postdoctoral Researcher (F/M), DK.110.K.7.2026.WR

The successful candidate will participate to the EXOMHYCL project, under the guidance of Daniel Mège (project PI, Space Research Centre PAS, and TGO Interdisciplinary Scientist) and Vincent Chevrier (Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas). The work will aim at determining how HCl degassed from magmas interact with an ice-rich subsurface before escaping to the atmosphere, thus enabling us to propose a robust seepage mechanism.

Where to apply

E-mail

rekrutacja@cbk.waw.pl

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

1. The successful candidate will be an independent researcher holding a PhD and publications in a field related to geochemical processes at the crust-atmosphere interface, and will have strong prior experience (data acquisition and analysis, ideally basic maintenance) in experimental geochemistry using planetary simulation chambers;
2. Demonstrated skills in geochemical modelling is an asset.
3. The successful candidate will agree to spend 32 months in Poland and 10 months in Arkansas, in several non-consecutive stays.
4. Good command of written and spoken English, demonstrated by published scientific papers and conference presentations;
5. Ability to write scientific papers and prepare conference presentations
6. Ability to conduct thorough and critical reviews of scientific literature
7. Ability to develop and apply new concepts
8. A creative approach to solving new problems
9. Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Specific Requirements

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions specified in the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (Chapter 8 Employees of scientific units and other organizational units of the Academy).

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Other

Additional Information

Benefits

Terms of Employment:

1. Net salary (after removal of income tax, social security and retirement pension contributions) is around 11 000 PLN/month
2. Period of employment: 12 months with extension up to a total of 42 months contingent upon satisfactory research progress.
3. Places of work: Kopernika 11, Wrocław, Poland, and 332 Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville, United States

Eligibility criteria

The successful candidate will be selected in an open competition conducted in accordance with the provisions of the "Regulations on awarding funding for research tasks funded by the National Science Centre as regards research projects" (NCN Council Resolution No 84/2024 of 5 September 2024). The candidate must meet the requirements specified in these Regulations. All applicants will be equally considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Eligibility requirements: PhD degree must be conferred in the year of employment in the project or within 12 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by a time of long-term (in excess of 90 days) documented sick leaves or physiotherapy leaves granted on account of being unfit to work. In addition, the period may be extended by the number of months of a childcare leave granted pursuant to the Labour Code and in the case of women, by 18 months for every child born or adopted, whichever manner of accounting for career breaks is preferable. PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than CBK PAN or the candidate have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than CBK PAN and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree.

Evaluation criteria:

1. Research experience in the area relevant to the project
2. Scientific achievements in relation to the career stage
3. Competences needed to participate in the project
4. Motivation to pursue research in the project

Selection process

Required documents:

1. CV including contact information, education, employment history (if applicable), participation in research projects, grants, fellowships, awards, skills, list of publications and conference presentations,
2. Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
3. Copy of the PhD diploma
4. Contact details (name, affiliation, and e-mail address) of two researcher from whom letters of reference may be requested

Documents should be sent electronically to dmege@cbk.waw.pl and rekrutacja@cbk.waw.pl, with the annotation: competition number DK.110.K.7.2026.WR. Selected candidates will be interviewed remotely by the selection committee. It is possible that the post may not be filled in case there is no candidate of suitable competence. The competition may be cancelled at any time without stating a reason.

For additional information, please contact the project’s PI: dmege@cbk.waw.pl

Application deadline: 15 December 2026

Start date of employment: 1 January 2027 – 31 March 2027 (to be negotiated with the selected candidate)

Additional comments

Please include the following clause: I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents provided by me to the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, based in Warsaw at 18A ul. Bartycka, 00-716, for the purposes of the recruitment process in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation).

If you wish to participate in future recruitment processes, please include the following clause in your application documents: I consent to the processing of my personal data by SRC PAS in future recruitment processes for a period of two years from the date of my application to participate in the current recruitment process.

The Administrator of the personal data is the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its seat in Warsaw (00-716), at 18A Bartycka Street. Contact details of the Data Protection Inspector: iod@cbk.waw.pl. Personal data is processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, on the basis of a voluntary consent, and for the performance of archival duties. The legal basis for data processing is Article 6(1)(a), (b), (c) and (f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). In this regard, the legitimate interest of the controller is to enable the controller to carry out the recruitment process. We inform you of the right to withdraw your consent at any time, whereby the withdrawal of consent shall not affect the compatibility of the processing carried out on its basis prior to the withdrawal of consent. Personal data will be processed for a maximum period of two years. In the event that personal data constitute evidence in a proceeding conducted on the basis of the law or the Administrator becomes aware that they may constitute evidence in a proceeding, the storage period shall be extended until the proceeding is legally concluded. Personal data will not be transferred to a third country or an international organization. Personal data may be made available to services authorized to conduct pre-trial proceedings or other public authorities which have the right to access them under the law. Provision of data is voluntary, but necessary for the purpose of recruitment. The person to whom the data pertains is not obliged to provide it, however, failure to do so may result in the inability to conclude a contract. We inform about the right of access to personal data, its rectification, erasure or restriction of processing as well as the right to complain to the supervisory authority. Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences does not apply profiling or automated decision-making systems in the recruitment process.