PhD Student - The Formation of Silica-Mediated Self-Organized Structures (Open)

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join an international and interdisciplinary research team investigating the fundamental processes behind silica-mediated mineral self-organization. The successful candidate will investigate how silica interacts with carbonates and other minerals to generate complex, life-like morphologies under alkaline conditions, resembling those that may have existed on the early Earth. Such self-organized structures, including biomorphs and silica-based membranes, represent a frontier in geochemistry, with direct implications for understanding prebiotic environments, the emergence of complexity and strategies for life detection beyond Earth.

The PhD candidate will conduct research in close relation to the ERC Synergy Grant PROTOS (https://protos-erc.eu/), a European collaborative project that brings together experts in geology, chemistry and materials science to experimentally explore the origins of life on our planet. The work will combine state-of-the-art analytical techniques with novel experimental approaches to probe the mechanisms of silica-mediated mineral self-organization and assess their significance in shaping early Earth environments.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an ambitious scientific endeavor addressing fundamental questions at the intersection of geochemistry and the prebiotic chemistry underlying the origins of life. The successful candidate will become part of a dynamic, international and interdisciplinary research network, working closely with partner institutions across Europe.

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
• Target start date: 2026/04/20

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.

The selected candidate will join Prof. García-Ruiz’s Laboratory of Mineral Self-Organization and Origin of Life at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC): https://garciaruizdipc.org/. The laboratory is engaged in 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 interplay between science and art and the relationship between crystals and the human mind, from hominids to the present day. The aim of these research is to explore frontiers, not only the frontiers of science itself but also those that connect different scientific disciplines and bridge science, art and the mind.

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV, a letter of statement of interest to the application email listed above, and two reference letters.

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. Even though the deadline is February 26, it may be extended until the position is filled.

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: 2026/05
• Application deadline: 2026/02/26
• 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%)
• Statement of interest / 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.

The contract is part of the CEX2024-001491-S grant, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033