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?

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.

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.

The application package consists of:

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).
An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
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.

You complete the application by:

Fill out the application form and upload the above-mentioned materials in one combined PDF with file name “LastName_FirstName.pdf”.
In addition, two letters of reference (each <2 pages) should be sent by the referees themselves via email to tim.lichtenberg@rug.nl.

Conditions of Employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

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,
a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income,
an 8.3% year-end bonus,
a full-time position (1.0 FTE),
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.

The PhD position is nominally planned to start between September 2025 to January 2026.

Contact

Questions about the position or application should be sent to tim.lichtenberg@rug.nl and w.van.westrenen@vu.nl.

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!.