Enhancing Cooperative Spectroscopic Analysis for Biosignature Detection on Mars

6 May 2026 Job Information Organisation/Company université paris Saclay Department IAS Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 May 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 6 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description We are pleased to announce the opening of two Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions at the Université Paris-Saclay (UPS), France, to carry out PhD theses within the EXODOCS project. The full description of the Doctoral Candidate positions available at the UPS (DC9 and DC15) is provided at the end of this document. EXODOCS is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No. 101226728). The MSCA Doctoral Network programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. EXODOCS brings together a multidisciplinary and intersectoral consortium of academic institutions, research centres, and industrial partners across Europe, with the common goal of training a new generation of researchers in planetary and astrobiology exploration, advanced analytical instrumentation, data analysis, and transferable skills. Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for full-time, fixed-term positions (36 months) as Doctoral Candidates (DCs). Successful applicants will be enrolled in a PhD programme at UPS and will conduct original research aligned with the scientific objectives of EXODOCS. At UPS, the recruited DCs will be embedded within a leading planetary spectroscopy research group and will join the MicrOmega science team of the ESA/ExoMars mission to Mars, actively contributing to scientific activities related to rover operations, data analysis, and interpretation in preparation for the mission launch currently planned for 2028. The positions are expected to start in October 2026, subject to administrative procedures and candidate availability. Enhancing Cooperative Spectroscopic Analysis for Biosignature Detection on

Mars Context:

Spectroscopic instruments are critical for astrobiology on Mars. The Perseverance rover uses SuperCam for remote Raman-VISIR and LIBS analysis, while SHERLOC and PIXL perform close-range Raman and XRF analyses. The ERF's RLS and MicrOmega offer a cooperative approach: MicrOmega maps powdered samples and identifies regions of interest (ROIs) like phyllosilicates, which the RLS can then target for detailed analysis.

Scientific challenges:

While RLS and MicrOmega have been studied individually, their combined potential remains largely unexplored, limiting their effectiveness in biosignature detection.

Research objectives:

• Simulate RLS, MicrOmega and MOMA cooperative science;
• Develop procedures to enhance ROI detection and characterization; and
• Evaluate this integrated method against previous mission techniques.

Impact:

• Upgrade MicrOmega methods to improve ROI detection (enhance targeting precision for potential biosignatures);
• Develop validated co-aligned procedures for RLS-MicrOmega-MOMA (boost cooperative detection capabilities and RF mission scientific output);
• Optimize protocols for future spectroscopic instruments in astrobiology missions (improve scientific outcomes in upcoming exploration efforts) English requirements: Applicants must have a good command of the English language.

English proficiency will be assessed during the interview stage for shortlisted candidates. No formal language certificate is required to apply to this DC position.

Hiring institution:

Université Paris-Saclay (France) ExoMars instrument team:

MicrOmega Supervisor:

Cedric Pilorget ( cedric.pilorget@universite-paris-saclay.fr )

Co-supervisors:

Guillermo Lopez-Reyes ( guillermo.lopez@uva.es ) Donia Baklouti ( donia.baklouti@universite-paris-saclay.fr ) Where to apply E-mail cedric.pilorget@universite-paris-saclay.fr Requirements Research Field Astronomy » Astrophysics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications English requirements: Applicants must have a good command of the English language. English proficiency will be assessed during the interview stage for shortlisted candidates. No formal language certificate is required to apply to this DC position.

Hiring institution:

Université Paris-Saclay (France) Specific Requirements Application procedure Applicants are requested to follow the steps outlined below:

• Carefully read the

EURAXESS

job offer corresponding to the selected Doctoral Candidate (DC) position.

• Consult the EXODOCS Guide for Applicants, available on the project website ( www.exodocs.eu ).
• Complete the EXODOCS Application Form, available on the project website.
• Submit the complete application package by email to the EXODOCS Recruitment Board ( recruitment@exodocs.eu ) and to the Main Supervisor(s) of the selected DC position(s) (email addresses are indicated in the specific DC position description. See below). Each Application Form must be completed in English and submitted together with the following documents:
• A short curriculum vitae (CV) in Europass format ( https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv ).
• Copies of Bachelor's and, where applicable, Master's degree diplomas (or official proof that the degree will be obtained before the PhD start date).
• Academic transcript(s) of records.
• Supporting documentation for merits listed in the CV (e.g. language certificates, publications, or other relevant evidence), where available.
• Two reference letters (maximum one page each);
• A motivation letter (maximum two pages), clearly indicating the applicant's motivation and suitability for the selected DC position.

IMPORTANT

Applicants applying for more than one DC position must submit a separate motivation letter for each position. Applicants may apply for up to five (5) DC positions within the EXODOCS network. Applicants may contact the main supervisor of each position for specific questions, or the EXODOCS Project Management Team ( info@exodocs.eu ) for administrative inquiries. Note that French regulations also require that the selected candidate shall comply with Ecole Doctorale / UPS rules of appointment and will have to go through an additional validation process. Application deadline The deadline for submitting applications is 31 May 2026 at 23:59 (CET). Additional Information Work Location(s) Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale Country France City Orsay Geofield Contact State/Province Orsay City Orsay Website https://www.ias.universite-paris-saclay.fr/ Street Rue Jean-Dominique Cassini, Postal Code 91400 E-Mail cedric.pilorget@universite-paris-saclay.fr guillermo.lopez@uva.es

STATUS:

EXPIRED