- Mineral Patterns in Geochemical Analog Systems of Early Earth: The Soda Lakes of the African Rift Valley (Open)

The research project to be carried out by the PhD student aims to uncover the mechanisms of silica precipitation and its interaction with carbonates in the alkaline environments such as the lakes of the African Rift Valley. These lakes are considered analogs of geochemical environments characteristic of early Earth and of celestial bodies that are the origin of meteorites found in our solar system..

The research project to be carried out by the PhD student will be part of the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy-funded project PROTOS, an ambitious initiative aimed at unlocking the secrets of Earth’s earliest chapter (the Hadean Eon) when no geological rock record is preserved.

As part of PROTOS, this PhD project contributes to a broader scientific effort to recreate early Earth conditions in the laboratory using diverse experimental techniques. The PROTOS project investigates how interactions among water, gases, and primitive rocks may have led to the formation of silica-rich aquatic environments. Such environments are thought to have been crucial for enabling the synthesis of simple and complex organic molecules, paving the way for the emergence of metabolism, self-replication, and life itself.

• Degree in Geology.
• Familiarity with the African Rift Valley region (Kenya), where part of the research will be conducted.
• Fluency in English and a willingness to travel and engage within a highly interdisciplinary team.
• Skills in analytical and mineral growth techniques will be an asset.
• Experience working in international research teams related to the thesis topic will be an asset.
• High motivation.

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
• Target start date: 2025/10/15

We provide a highly stimulating research environment, and unique professional career development opportunities.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Prof. Garcia-Ruiz Research Team at DIPC is a young interdisciplinary group focused on the study of self-organization phenomena in biological and geological structures, with implications ranging from the origin of life to the synthesis of new materials. Prof. Garcia-Ruiz is dedicated to Frontier Research and leads several cutting-edge projects that apply the scientific method to illuminate topics as diverse as the origin of life, the search for life on Mars, the connections between science and art, and the relationship between crystals and their impact on the mind from hominids to the present day.

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV and a brief statement of interest to the following application email below. 

Reference letters are welcome but not indispensable.

The reference of the specific opening to which the candidate is applying should be stated in the subject line, and the application must be received before the application deadline.

Although candidates are welcome to contact the project supervisors to know further details about the proposed research activity, please be aware that the application will be evaluated only if it is submitted directly to the email address listed below as application email.

• Reference: 2025/60
• Application deadline: 2025/09/30
• Application email: jobs.research@dipc.org

Applications received by the deadline will be evaluated by a Committee designed by the DIPC board on the basis of the following criteria:

• CV of the candidate (60%)
• Adequacy of the candidate’s scientific background to the project (20%)
• Reference letters (10%)
• Other: Diversity in gender, race, nationality, etc. (10%)

Evaluation results will be communicated to the candidates soon after. Positions will only be filled if qualified candidates are found.

The DIPC may revoke its decision if the candidate fails to join by the appointed time, in which case the position will be awarded to the candidate with the next highest score, provided it is above 50 (out of 100).

However, the selected candidate may keep the position if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, the candidate duly justifies the reasons why he or she cannot join before the specified deadline, and as long as the project allows it.

This project has been supported by ERC-2023-SyG grant PROTOS, under GA-101118811 funded from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme