Research and Innovation Associate – ICARUS ENG, GB, MKAA

Research and Innovation Associate – ICARUS (Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MK7 6AA
)

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part‑time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

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We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the ICARUS project:
Investigating Changes in Asteroid Regolith and Understanding Solar‑driven Volatile Release in Near‑Sun Asteroids.

This role focuses on experimental petrology and high‑resolution geochemical analysis to investigate how intense solar heating drives gas release and surface evolution in active near‑Sun asteroids, with particular emphasis on asteroid 3200 Phaethon.

The successful candidate will lead laboratory‑based research, contributing to experimental design, data acquisition, quantitative analysis, and interpretation, collaborating with international partners in Germany and Japan.

Research and Scholarship

• Design and conduct high‑temperature cyclic heating experiments on meteorites to replicate the thermal evolution of near‑Sun asteroids (using TGA‑MS).
• Perform quantitative, high‑resolution geochemical and mineralogical analysis using SEM‑EDS, EMPA, Raman spectroscopy and near‑IR spectroscopy.
• Analyse experimental data to quantify volatile release mechanisms and mineralogical changes, drawing conclusions relevant to the evolution of near‑Sun asteroids.
• Prepare and analyse samples for hypervelocity impact ionisation mass spectrometry, generating ground‑truth data for direct comparison with DESTINY+ DDA instrument measurements.
• Contribute to high‑impact publications, conference presentations, and outreach activities communicating key findings.
• Maintain expertise in planetary science, meteoritics, experimental petrology, and analytical methods to inform ongoing research.

Teaching and Learning Support (optional)

• Provide limited support for OU undergraduate teaching in Physical Sciences (remote/online), if requested, for up to 6.25 hours per week.
• Participate in mentoring and training of postgraduate students in laboratory techniques and data analysis.

Communication and Networking

• Communicate complex scientific concepts to colleagues, collaborators, and public audiences, including potentially in school‑age outreach events.
• Liaise with international project partners, including remote meetings with collaborators in Japan and Germany, occasionally outside standard office hours (approx. once every two months).
• Build and maintain internal and external networks to support collaboration, knowledge exchange, and funding opportunities.

Project and Resource Management

• Plan and manage laboratory workflows, experimental schedules, and use of analytical facilities in collaboration with technical staff and the Project Lead.
• Ensure safe use of laboratories and analytical instruments in accordance with institutional health and safety standards.
• Maintain rigorous records of experimental procedures, datasets, and results to ensure reproducibility and compliance with project requirements.

Essential:

• PhD (or submitted PhD thesis) in planetary science, geochemistry, meteoritics, experimental petrology, physics or a closely related field.
• Strong laboratory‑based analytical skills in mass spectrometry complemented by proficiency in at least three of the following techniques: SEM, EMPA, Raman spectroscopy, near‑IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, and/or TEM, ideally applied to the study of meteorite or planetary analogue materials.
• Proven ability to design, execute, and interpret complex laboratory experiments independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including a track record of publishing research in high‑impact journals as lead author.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for collaborative work and conferences.

Desirable:

• Experience in experimental petrology, including high‑temperature or cyclic heating studies of meteorites or terrestrial analogue materials.
• Familiarity with hypervelocity dust impact experiments or metallised…