Postdoctoral Researcher (F/M)

Unist; Wrocław; Hybrid; PLN 112,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Centrum Badań Kosmicznych PAN in Poland invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (F/M) for the EXOMHYCL project.

The successful candidate will study HCl degassing from magmas, its interaction with ice-rich subsurface, and potential seepage mechanisms, collaborating with researchers in Poland and the University of Arkansas.

Qualifications

• Independent researcher with PhD and publications in geochemical processes at crust-atmosphere interface.
• Experience in data acquisition and analysis in experimental geochemistry; basic maintenance.
• Proficiency in geochemical modelling is an asset.
• Willing to spend 32 months in Poland and 10 months in Arkansas across non-consecutive stays.
• Excellent written and spoken English demonstrated by publications and conferences.
• Ability to write papers and present at conferences.
• Ability to review scientific literature thoroughly and critically.
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts; creative problem solving.
• Ability to work well in a team.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the EXOMHYCL project under guidance of PI and collaborators.
• Determine how HCl degassed from magmas interacts with ice-rich subsurface and escapes to atmosphere.
• Propose a robust seepage mechanism based on results.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Skills

Independent researcher

Geochemical processes

English proficiency

Data acquisition and analysis

Scientific writing

Team collaboration

Creative problem solving

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Geochemical modelling software

Planetary simulation chambers

Job description

Organisation/Company Centrum Badan Kosmicznych PAN Department Exploration Mars Group Research Field Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 15 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number DK.110.K.7.2026.WR Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Of the rocky bodies in the Solar System, we know that volcanic activity is ongoing on Earth, on Io (a satellite of Jupiter), and on Venus. Could Mars be the fourth one?

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) spacecraft has two spectrometer suites, ACS and NOMAD, which detect trace gases along vertical atmospheric profiles via occultation sounding. One of the objectives of the TGO mission has been to determine whether this technique can reveal the presence of gases of volcanic origin in the atmosphere, from which active volcanism would be inferred. Since 2019, at the beginning of the aphelion season ACS measurements have detected hydrogen chloride (HCl) molecules in the lower atmosphere, with a concentration increasing toward the surface above the large rift system of Alba Mons, one of the giant volcanoes of Mars.

These detections are hardly explained by atmospheric chemistry. In a paper in press (Trokhimovskiy et al., 2026, Science Advances) we argue that volcanic seeping provides the most plausible explanation for these HCl detections. The latest ground deformation occurred less than 1 million years ago, generating fissures that provide potential pathways for volcanic gases to reach the atmosphere.

The EXOMHYCL project of the National Science Centre (NCN) of Poland investigates the geological conditions making possible such HCl seepage on Mars. We announce an open competition for the position: Postdoctoral Researcher (F/M), DK.110.K.7.2026.WR

The successful candidate will participate to the EXOMHYCL project, under the guidance of Daniel Mège (project PI, Space Research Centre PAS, and TGO Interdisciplinary Scientist) and Vincent Chevrier (Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas). The work will aim at determining how HCl degassed from magmas interact with an ice-rich subsurface before escaping to the atmosphere, thus enabling us to propose a robust seepage mechanism.

Requirements

Research Field Other Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• The successful candidate will be an independent researcher holding a PhD and publications in a field related to geochemical processes at the crust-atmosphere interface, and will have strong prior experience (data acquisition and analysis, ideally basic maintenance) in experimental geochemistry using planetary simulation chambers;
• Demonstrated skills in geochemical modelling is an asset.
• The successful candidate will agree to spend 32 months in Poland and 10 months in Arkansas, in several non-consecutive stays.
• Good command of written and spoken English, demonstrated by published scientific papers and conference presentations;
• Ability to write scientific papers and prepare conference presentations
• Ability to conduct thorough and critical reviews of scientific literature
• Ability to develop and apply new concepts
• A creative approach to solving new problems
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Specific Requirements

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions specified in the Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences (Chapter 8 Employees of scientific units and other organizational units of the Academy).

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Other

Additional Information

Terms of Employment:

• Net salary (after removal of income tax, social security and retirement pension contributions) is around 11 000 PLN/month
• Period of employment: 12 months with extension up to a total of 42 months contingent upon satisfactory research progress.
• Places of work: Kopernika 11, Wrocław, Poland, and 332 Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville, United States

The successful candidate will be selected in an open competition conducted in accordance with the provisions of the "Regulations on awarding funding for research tasks funded by the National Science Centre as regards research projects" (NCN Council Resolution No 84/2024 of 5 September 2024). The candidate must meet the requirements specified in these Regulations. All applicants will be equally considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Eligibility requirements: PhD degree must be conferred in the year of employment in the project or within 12 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by a time of long-term (in excess of 90 days) documented sick leaves or physiotherapy leaves granted on account of being unfit to work. In addition, the period may be extended by the number of months of a childcare leave granted pursuant to the Labour Code and in the case of women, by 18 months for every child born or adopted, whichever manner of accounting for career breaks is preferable. PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than CBK PAN or the candidate have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than CBK PAN and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree.

Evaluation criteria:

• Research experience in the area relevant to the project
• Scientific achievements in relation to the career stage
• Competences needed to participate in the project
• Motivation to pursue research in the project

Start date of employment: 1 January 2027 - 31 March 2027