PRELIFE PhD Position 2025
Within the context of the interdisciplinary PRELIFE consortium, the Forming Worlds Lab invites applications for a PhD position focussed on investigating the possible surface water levels and atmospheric composition of the earliest Earth. The prospective student will numerically simulate the coupled evolution of the atmosphere and interior during magma ocean crystallisation and perform high-pressure experiments on the solubility of key atmospheric species. The goal is to constrain the oxidation state of the earliest terrestrial atmosphere and to quantify the amount of water released to the surface, to assess the formation potential of key prebiotic molecules within the context of surficial origin of life scenarios.
PRELIFE – Pathways, Reactions, and Environments leading to LIFE
The origin of life remains one of the greatest mysteries in science. While many theories have been proposed, no single explanation has yet gained universal agreement. That’s where the PRELIFE consortium comes in. PRELIFE unites experts across a wide range of disciplines from astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and planetary sciences, education, mathematics, to physics. Together we will explore two fundamental questions: How did life emerge on Earth, and how common are the conditions elsewhere in the universe?
To answer these profound questions, we will take an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse perspectives to unlock new insights. But we believe this question is not just for scientists, it is for everyone. That’s why we will invite teachers, students, and the public to join us, through educational programs, artistic collaborations, and museum partnerships.
We’re searching for answers to life’s biggest questions, and we need your help. As part of the PRELIFE program we offer 15 exciting research projects. Are you a student with deep expertise in your field and a passion for crossing disciplinary boundaries? Each project connects different scientific fields, working together to unlock the secrets of life’s origins and take the public along. Are you in?
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PRELIFE Project 2: Surface redox state and ocean levels of the earliest Earth
​The possible range of surface water levels and atmospheric composition on the earliest Earth are critical unknowns to assess the viability of surficial origins of life scenarios. The goal of this project is to constrain the oxidation state of the earliest terrestrial atmosphere in the Hadean right after magma ocean crystallisation and to quantify the amount of water trapped in the mantle and released to the surface, to assess the likelihood of photochemically triggering the formation of key prebiotic molecules, such as hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde and cyanoacetylene.
To do this, the prospective PhD student will work under the guidance of dr. Tim Lichtenberg (University of Groningen) and prof. Wim van Westrenen (VU Amsterdam) to numerically simulate the coupled evolution of atmosphere, mantle, and water ocean formation during magma ocean crystallisation and perform high-pressure experiments on the solubility of key atmospheric species at chemically reduced (hydrogen- and iron-rich) conditions. Simulations will be focused on the evolution of the redox state of the terrestrial mantle and atmosphere during magma ocean crystallisation, and the amount of water retained in the interior and condensed on the surface. Experiments will be focused on the solubility of reduced hydrogen-bearing compounds in a range of magma compositions at high pressures, with concentration measurements performed by Raman, nanoSIMS, and/or FTIR.
The project combines laboratory experiments with numerical calculations, assessing the pathways for UV-light induced prebiotic chemistry in light of recent new constraints from petrology, geochemistry, climate science, and exoplanet populations. ​The PhD research will be performed in close collaboration between the Forming Worlds Lab and the group of prof. van Westrenen. The position will be primarily based at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute at the University of Groningen, with several extended visits to geochemical laboratories in Amsterdam and Delft for conducting high-pressure experiments.
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Application information
You may apply for this position until 10th June 2025, 23:59 (CEST) by means of uploading the documents to the application form linked below. The candidate selection will take place in two rounds. Long-list interviews are planned to take place online between 24–30 June 2025. Long-listed candidates will be informed and invited on 20th June. Short-listed candidates will be invited to in-person interviews taking place in mid- to late July 2025. In case of visa-related travel issues the short-list interview may be arranged virtually.
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The application package consists of:
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A cover letter with a) your motivation to apply for the proposed PhD project; b) a description of past research experience (2 pages max in total).
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An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
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A certified list of courses and grades from your undergraduate degree(s) up to the moment of application (in case your degree has not yet been awarded). Please provide translation if they are not in English or Dutch.
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You complete the application by:
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Fill out the application form and upload the above-mentioned materials in one combined PDF with file name "LastName_FirstName.pdf" here. ​
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In addition, two letters of reference (each <2 pages) should be sent by the referees themselves via email to tim.lichtenberg@rug.nl.
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Conditions of employment
We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
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a salary of € 2,872 in the first year to a maximum of € 3,670 gross per month in the final year (PhD salary scale), based on a full-time position,
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a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income,
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an 8.3% year-end bonus,
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a full-time position (1.0 FTE),
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a position for four years. The selected PhD candidates will be first offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years.
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The PhD position is nominally planned to start between September 2025 to January 2026.
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​PhD projects in the Forming Worlds Lab
As outlined on the Research page, the Forming Worlds Lab seeks to identify the main driving factors behind the emergence and preservation of life-creating and -supporting environments, and how frequent such places are in our vast universe.
As a successful applicant, you will develop numerical and theoretical simulation tools to model the interaction of atmospheric volatiles with the planetary interior, applicable to transient (like the Earth's) and long-lived magma ocean epochs, such as those of short-period exoplanets. Ultimately, this will enable us to constrain the composition and thermodynamics of post-magma ocean atmospheric regimes that are potentially amenable to surficial origin of life scenarios.
You will become part of the expanding Forming Worlds Lab and will have the opportunity to collaborate with internationally leading scientists from the PRELIFE, Alien Earths, AEThER, LIFE, PLATO, and Ariel initiatives, NOVA, and the Dutch Origins Center.​
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Contact
Questions about the position or application should be sent to tim.lichtenberg@rug.nl and w.van.westrenen@vu.nl​.​​
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What profiles do we look for?
PhD projects in the Forming Worlds Lab operate within the highly cross-disciplinary spectrum of planetary and exoplanetary sciences. We seek motivated and ambitious students with a strong background in the physical sciences or geosciences, including, but not limited to, physics, astronomy, atmospheric science, geophysics, geochemistry, or computational science. Further interdisciplinary training throughout the PhD program will familiarise you with the areas you have not been specialising in during your undergraduate studies.
Key characteristics for selection are:
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An MSc degree in one of the disciplines mentioned above by the starting date. Previous research experience and skills are important criteria for selection. In rare special cases, candidates with only a BSc degree and extensive research experience (typically >9 months total of undergraduate research) may be considered.
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Eagerness to (a) pursue simulation-based research within a highly collaborative environment and (b) expand your expertise and skills with laboratory-based geochemical measurements.
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High proficiency in English and being a good communicator and team player.
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Very good computer and programming skills. Familiarity with Linux/UNIX computer environments, version control software (such as git), high-performance computing, and one or more computer languages (Python/Julia/C/Fortran) are highly desirable. Examples of our group's ongoing code developments can be found at github.com/FormingWorlds.
Dutch language skills are welcome but not essential. English is the common language spoken at the Kapteyn Institute, in undergraduate courses, and in research.
The Forming Worlds Lab is highly diverse in culture and gender. Our group and the University of Groningen strive to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also the Diversity and Inclusion Policy of the University of Groningen and the Code of Conduct of the Forming Worlds Lab. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and the European Commission's Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code.
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The city of Groningen
Groningen is a historic university town in the northern Netherlands with a population of approximately 240,000 people, of which around 25% are students. This makes Groningen the city in the Netherlands with the highest student population density, the youngest city in the country, and one of the youngest in Europe. Groningen offers very high quality of life, surrounded by beautiful nature, and is a lively city with a remarkably diverse cultural scene. You can find more information on visitgroningen.nl and GroningenLife!.​
