PhD in Earth-Moon impact flux, lunar seismology, and meteoroid hazard assessment University Paris-Saclay in France

PhD opportunity at University Paris-Saclay on the measurement of impact flux on the Earth-Moon system and the characterization of impact hazards for future lunar bases and Earth satellites.

The project combines lunar seismology, planetary science, geophysics, astronomy, and data analysis through joint observations from lunar seismic networks and terrestrial networks such as TILT-LT FLASH and FRIPON. The research aims to better constrain the frequency/size law of meteoroids impacting the Moon, especially small impactors in the milligram-to-gram range, and to improve risk estimates for satellites and future permanent lunar installations.

Supervision is shared by Sylvain Bouley (University Paris-Saclay), Marco Delbo (University of Côte d'Azur / OCA), with Philippe Lognonné (IPGP) as co-director. The student will work with seismic, telescope, and fireball datasets, and will spend about half the time in the Paris area and half in laboratories associated with the ERC LISTEN FLASH project.

Eligibility highlights: Master 2 or equivalent in physics, planetary science, geophysics, or astronomy; strong interest in impacts and meteoroids; programming, data analysis, and image-processing skills; good scientific English; ability to work in an international team.

Funding: partially funded doctoral contract. The topic is approved for half funding by the Académie Spatiale d’Île-de-France, and the ERC Advanced LISTEN FLASH project funds the remaining half for the last 18 months.

Deadline: 2026-05-06.