Anneleen Foubert

This 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at Stockholm University offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the origin of life on Earth by exploring the transition from prebiotic to biotic worlds. The research project is based in the Department of Geological Sciences and focuses on the critical role of organic-mineral interactions under abiotic conditions that resemble those of the early Archean Earth. A central aim is to define criteria for organosignatures—organically influenced mineralization without a specific cell signature—and to distinguish these from biosignatures, which are unequivocal evidence of life. The project’s laboratory studies seek to produce a 'proof of concept' that could reshape our understanding of Earth's early history and inform the search for extraterrestrial life. The successful candidate will design and conduct experiments simulating early Earth conditions, emphasizing the formation and characterization of prebiotic organic matter and its initial interactions with minerals. Responsibilities include modeling polymerization and fluid-organic interactions, considering 'Possible Archean' Ocean Composition scenarios, and producing and characterizing 'organofilms' from simple prebiotic organic matter. Advanced analytical techniques such as RAMAN spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF MS will be used to analyze the composition, structure, and functional groups of synthesized organic materials and organofilms. The candidate will also investigate how these prebiotic organic materials interact with minerals under simulated Archean conditions. This position is co-supervised by Dr. Christophe Dupraz (Stockholm University) and Professor Anneleen Foubert (University of Fribourg), with collaborative ties to the University of Connecticut. The research environment is highly interdisciplinary, integrating geochemistry, organic chemistry, mineralogy, and astrobiology. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with international partners and benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Applicants must hold a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Geochemistry, Astrobiology, Earth Sciences, or a closely related field, completed no more than three years before the closing date unless special circumstances apply. Required skills include expertise in organic synthesis, polymerization chemistry, or advanced organic material characterization, and a keen interest in geological processes, early Earth environments, and mineral-organic interactions. Proven laboratory experience, especially in controlled environmental settings, and familiarity with analytical techniques such as Raman, MALDI-TOF-MS, and HPLC are desirable. Willingness to learn new techniques (e.g., MicroCT Scan, FIB-SEM) is expected. Candidates must demonstrate written and oral proficiency in English, analytical skills, ability to collaborate, creativity, initiative, and independence. Selection is based on education, experience, research quality, motivation letter, proposed project direction, and potentially interviews. To apply, candidates should submit their application via Stockholm University's recruitment system, including a personal letter, CV, and all required attachments as specified in the job advertisement. All documents should be in English, and applications must be complete and submitted before the deadline of January 31, 2026. For further details and instructions, refer to the official application page. The position is based at Stockholm University, Sweden, and offers a stimulating environment for research at the intersection of geology, chemistry, and the origins of life.

Stockholm University is offering a PhD position in Prebiotic Chemistry and Carbonate Geochemistry within the Department of Geological Sciences. The project focuses on how abiotic organic molecules, formed under plausible prebiotic conditions, interact with mineral surfaces on the early Earth and contribute to the formation of some of the earliest organomineral structures preserved in the geological record. The research aims to clarify the organic geochemical pathways by which simple organic compounds polymerize into organofilms, influence carbonate precipitation, and generate organomineral textures that may represent early biosignatures. The PhD student will work on the preparation and organic geochemical characterization of abiotic organic matrices, synthesize organofilm precursors from simple building blocks, and conduct organomineralization experiments under controlled environmental conditions. Analytical work will involve chromatographic and spectroscopic methods such as GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy, together with mineralogical techniques. Experiments will be carried out in laboratory systems designed to simulate early Earth settings, including fluctuating redox conditions, wet–dry cycles, and interactions with mineral surfaces. The project also includes field-based comparative work in the Atacama Desert, which serves as a natural analogue for extreme intermittently wet environments thought to resemble conditions on the early Earth. These observations will help place the experimental results in a broader geological context and strengthen interpretations of biosignatures and organosignatures in the rock record. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in organic geochemistry, prebiotic chemistry, carbonate biogeochemistry, and organomineralization processes, and will work as part of an international research team. The PhD is carried out in close collaboration with the University of Fribourg and the University of Connecticut, under the co-supervision of Dr. Christophe Dupraz at Stockholm University and Prof. Anneleen Foubert at the University of Fribourg. Eligibility highlights: applicants must meet Stockholm University’s general and specific doctoral entry requirements, including a relevant second-cycle degree or equivalent, substantial coursework in geosciences and related sciences, and strong English proficiency. Experience in organic synthesis, chromatography, spectroscopy, controlled-atmosphere work, or geochemical modelling is considered advantageous. Application deadline: 16 August 2026, 18:00 (Europe/Stockholm). Applications are submitted via the Stockholm University Varbi portal.