Postdoc in Experimental Planetology and Magma Ocean Research at Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany

Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen, Germany is advertising a 4-year postdoctoral position in Experimental Planetology within the ERC Starting Grant project ELMO: Experimental Laboratory Magma Ocean.

The project addresses fundamental questions in experimental planetary science, magma ocean evolution, and the chemical link between interior magma oceans and the atmospheres of hot exoplanets. The successful candidate will investigate how volatile and moderately volatile chemical elements behave in magma ocean worlds, including measurements of vapor pressures in magmatic systems.

The position is hosted by the Planetary Science Department at MPS and is part of the Experimental Planetology research group. The final project design will be developed together with the postdoc, and independent project ideas are explicitly encouraged within the ERC framework.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD or near-completion of a PhD in experimental petrology, geo-/cosmochemistry, mineralogy, or a related field; experience in high-temperature/high-pressure experimental petrology and relevant data analysis; ability to work in a team; and good spoken and written English.

Funding and conditions: the post is funded by the ERC Starting Grant ELMO and is paid according to EG 13 TVöD-Bund, with annual bonus and additional pension scheme (VBL). The institute also offers onboarding, professional development, flexible working time, and possible mobile work.

Application deadline: 14 June 2026. The position can be filled immediately, though a later start is possible.