We are looking for short-term research assistance on a 3 month project investigating the detection of salts and habitability on Mars. Whether or not Mars once supported life is a key driver behind current space exploration. Salt deposits play a crucial role in this endeavour – they can be indicators of past water-rich environments, are essential nutrients for life, and negatively, can destroy organic material buried within Martian soil. Therefore the detection of different salts on Mars is an integral part of searching for past or present life on Mars. We will test different methods for detecting salts using the best-known analogue to the current Martian environment - the hyperarid Atacama Desert in Chile. Here, unusual salt deposits similar to those on Mars can be found in surface soils. This project will utilise pre-existing samples from the Atacama Desert in collaboration with Dr. Mark Claire at the University of St. Andrews.

For this role we require someone with experience and knowledge of salt phases on Mars and how this translates to microbial habitability. A PhD (either submitted or obtained) in astrobiology or planetary science is desirable.
 
The project (and post) will run for 3 months from 1 June – 31 August 2016. For questions relating to the project, please contact Dr. Claire Cousins, email: crc9@st-andrews.ac.uk.
 
The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award and the LGBT Charter;  http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.
 
Interview Date: 30 March 2016

Please quote ref:  CC2016

Closing Date: 11 March 2016

Further Particulars: CC2016 FPs.doc

School of Geography & Geosciences
Salary:  £21,605 per annum, pro rata
Start Date:  1 June 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter
Fixed Term:  3 months