The role:

We seek a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher with a background in Organic Geo-/chemistry, Environmental Chemistry or related disciplines, with demonstrated expertise in the molecular characterization of organic compounds and its interactions with minerals in natural and experimental systems.

The selected candidate will join the Laboratory of Mineral Self-organization and Origin of Life at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) led by Prof. Juan Manuel García-Ruiz (https://garciaruizdipc.org/). The position is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant PROTOS (101118811) – "The role of silica in the dawn of life on our planet" (https://protos-erc.eu/).

The project is strongly interdisciplinary and brings together scientists and engineers from the University of Bremen, Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden), University of Konstanz, CNRS-GeoOcean Group (Brest), Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (Granada) and DIPC. The successful candidate will contribute to experimental studies aimed at understanding the formation, transformation and preservation of organic compounds under plausible early earth conditions, with particular emphasis on organic-mineral interactions, molecular complexity and the geochemical processes that may have contributed to the emergence of life on early Earth.

The position also offers the opportunity to explore how these fundamental processes can inspire novel approaches in materials science and biomimetic systems.

Desired background & competences:

- A strong interest in the early Earth, prebiotic chemistry, organic geochemistry and the origin and early evolution of life.
- Holding a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, Geochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Analytical Chemistry or a closely related discipline is a requirement.
- Demonstrated experience in the molecular characterization of natural or synthetic organic matter using advanced analytical techniques such as Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS, LD-MS, MS/MS, etc…), FT-IR, Raman, NMR or comparable methodologies.
- Experience in the analysis of organic compounds preserved in geological, environmental, experimental or extraterrestrial samples will be highly valued.
- Knowledge of organic-mineral interactions, carbon cycling, sedimentary organic matter or molecular biosignatures is desirable.
- Experience in laboratory experiments involving simulated geochemical or prebiotic environments will be considered an advantage.
- Ability to design, conduct and interpret multidisciplinary experiments, integrating analytical chemistry, geochemistry and mineralogy.
- Experience managing or operating shared analytical instrumentation will be appreciated.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
- Willingness to work in an international and highly interdisciplinary research environment and to travel within the framework of the PROTOS consortium.