Research Associate (PostDoc)

The Research Associate (reference code SFB1759-C05-DS) will conduct environmental simulations under Mars conditions as they are expected before, during, and after human habitation. The researcher will assess the effect of radiation-protective structures for human habitation. The work may involve the design and implementation of experimental setups simulating relevant planetary surface conditions, the analysis of microbial or biomolecular responses, and the evaluation of implications for planetary habitability, human exploration, and life-detection strategies.
The researcher is also expected to participate in a field campaign to the hyperarid Atacama Desert, where environmental samples and biomolecules will be collected and analyzed as terrestrial analogues for Mars.

• Successfully completed university degree (Master, Diplom or equivalent) and PhD in astrobiology, physics, planetary science, aerospace engineering, microbiology, environmental science, or a related discipline and has experience in planetary habitability or astrobiology.
• Good knowledge of German and/or English required; willingness to acquire the respective missing language skills.

The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• habitability and life-detection research, particularly in the context of Mars;
• experimental simulation of planetary or extreme environmental conditions;
• microbial survival, viability, biosignatures, or biomolecule preservation under environmental stress;
• laboratory experiments involving Mars-relevant environmental parameters such as radiation, salinity, desiccation, temperature, or atmospheric conditions;
• development, implementation, or operation of experimental setups and scientific instrumentation;
• quantitative analysis of experimental data and scientific programming;
• terrestrial analogue research or scientific field work in extreme environments.
• Experience with radiation exposure experiments, radiation shielding, or the assessment of protective materials and structures is desirable.
• Experience with hyperarid environments, planetary analogue sites, microbiological laboratory techniques, or biosignature detection would be an advantage.
• Experience with scientific programming, data analysis, and computational methods is beneficial, particularly for the analysis of environmental simulation experiments and complex experimental datasets.
• Experience with field campaigns, environmental sampling, or field-testing of scientific instruments is beneficial.
• The candidate should be able to work independently as well as in interdisciplinary teams and should have experience in scientific publication and communication.
• Experience in supervising students or coordinating experimental research activities is beneficial.

Please send your application with the reference number and the usual documents only by email (compiled into a single PDF document, max. 5 MB) to Prof. Dr. Dirk Schulze-Makuch via claudia.kieschke@tu-berlin.de.

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To ensure equal opportunities between women and men, applications by women with the required qualifications are explicitly desired. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be favored. The TU Berlin values the diversity of its members and is committed to the goals of equal opportunities. Applications from people of all nationalities and with a migration background are very welcome.