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From Building Blocks to Polymerisation on Water-rich Worlds, an Experimental Exploration

  • Faculty of Science
  • 14131
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    10-06-2025
Apply

From Building Blocks to Polymerisation on Water-rich Worlds, an Experimental Exploration

  • Faculty of Science
  • 14131
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    10-06-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join this PhD project – From building blocks to polymerisation on water-rich worlds: an experimental exploration

Water is widely accepted as a key ingredient in the origin of life—but it was far from the only one. The roles of meteoric impacts, dry land, and intense radiation on early Earth remain poorly understood, yet these factors may have been crucial in shaping prebiotic chemistry. Shifting environmental conditions could have driven major changes in the availability and behaviour of organic molecules.

If organic compounds were delivered from space, it suggests that life elsewhere may have started from similar building blocks. Minerals—both carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous—add further complexity, potentially guiding chemical reactions toward molecular functionality. At the rock-water interface, minerals may have acted as catalysts, chemical sinks, and redox-active surfaces, profoundly influencing the emergence of life.

In this PhD project, you’ll explore how planet- and space-born building blocks polymerise into molecular structures under simulated prebiotic conditions. You’ll conduct experiments that mimic warm-little-pond environments—examining the effects of UV irradiation, dry-wet cycles, and rock-water interfaces. You will design and adapt custom laboratory setups tailored to these complex systems and you will analyse samples using standard and advanced spectroscopy, analytical, and imaging techniques. As part of your scientific development, you’ll publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to advancing our understanding of life’s chemical origins.

Working at the UvA

Join this PhD project – From building blocks to polymerisation on water-rich worlds: an experimental exploration

Water is widely accepted as a key ingredient in the origin of life—but it was far from the only one. The roles of meteoric impacts, dry land, and intense radiation on early Earth remain poorly understood, yet these factors may have been crucial in shaping prebiotic chemistry. Shifting environmental conditions could have driven major changes in the availability and behaviour of organic molecules.

If organic compounds were delivered from space, it suggests that life elsewhere may have started from similar building blocks. Minerals—both carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous—add further complexity, potentially guiding chemical reactions toward molecular functionality. At the rock-water interface, minerals may have acted as catalysts, chemical sinks, and redox-active surfaces, profoundly influencing the emergence of life.

In this PhD project, you’ll explore how planet- and space-born building blocks polymerise into molecular structures under simulated prebiotic conditions. You’ll conduct experiments that mimic warm-little-pond environments—examining the effects of UV irradiation, dry-wet cycles, and rock-water interfaces. You will design and adapt custom laboratory setups tailored to these complex systems and you will analyse samples using standard and advanced spectroscopy, analytical, and imaging techniques. As part of your scientific development, you’ll publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to advancing our understanding of life’s chemical origins.

All about this vacancy

This is what you are going to do

·          Simulate prebiotic terrestrial conditions in lab experiments.

·          Design and adapt custom experimental setups.

·          Investigate how complex molecules emerge and evolve under varyig conditions

·          Work closely with other PhDs and researchers in the PRELIFE consortium.

·          Share findings with the public through outreach activities within the consortium.

This is what we ask of you

·          You have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, preferably in (bio)chemistry, geoscience, physics, or a related area.

·          You have an affinity for performing laboratory experiments, (chemical) analysis, and improving setups.

·          When things get complex, you stay focused and keep going.

·          You work well with others, but also take initiative on your own.

·          You have passion, aim for quality, and contribute actively to the team

 

This is what else we offer you

You’ll be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment where curiosity drives collaboration. Within the PRELIFE consortium and the work institutes, you’ll work closely with fellow PhDs and other researchers from different fields. You can count on supportive supervision and regular team meetings where we reflect, plan, and celebrate progress. There are opportunities to work on your educational development, teach, take courses and participate in conferences.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week, preferably starting on July 1st 2025, for the duration of 4 years. The initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.  This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2.901- € 3.707 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable.
The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
•    232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
•    multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre; 
•    multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
•    multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
•    7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
•    partly paid parental leave;
•    the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
•    a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
•    the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

All about this vacancy

This is what you are going to do

·          Simulate prebiotic terrestrial conditions in lab experiments.

·          Design and adapt custom experimental setups.

·          Investigate how complex molecules emerge and evolve under varyig conditions

·          Work closely with other PhDs and researchers in the PRELIFE consortium.

·          Share findings with the public through outreach activities within the consortium.

This is what we ask of you

·          You have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, preferably in (bio)chemistry, geoscience, physics, or a related area.

·          You have an affinity for performing laboratory experiments, (chemical) analysis, and improving setups.

·          When things get complex, you stay focused and keep going.

·          You work well with others, but also take initiative on your own.

·          You have passion, aim for quality, and contribute actively to the team

 

This is what else we offer you

You’ll be part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment where curiosity drives collaboration. Within the PRELIFE consortium and the work institutes, you’ll work closely with fellow PhDs and other researchers from different fields. You can count on supportive supervision and regular team meetings where we reflect, plan, and celebrate progress. There are opportunities to work on your educational development, teach, take courses and participate in conferences.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week, preferably starting on July 1st 2025, for the duration of 4 years. The initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.  This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2.901- € 3.707 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable.
The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
•    232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
•    multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre; 
•    multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
•    multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
•    7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
•    partly paid parental leave;
•    the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
•    a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
•    the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will work

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. 

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This is where you will work

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. 

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

For questions about the position, please contact:

·          Dr ir A Petrignani, Associate professor

The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this is prior to the final date of the application window.  Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with. 

If you recognise yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application by June 10, 2025 the latest. You may apply online using the red button. We will recruit until the position is filled and when a suitable candidate is found. If you receive an error message while applying from abroad, please try again later or contact us for assistance.

  • Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files): A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
  •  Your CV, including a list of publications
  • Contact details of at least two academic references

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue recruiting until the position is filled. The first (online) interviews are aimed to be scheduled from June 24-30, followed by a round of in-person visits if necessary. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the internal candidate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more

Important to know

Your application & contact

For questions about the position, please contact:

·          Dr ir A Petrignani, Associate professor

The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this is prior to the final date of the application window.  Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with. 

If you recognise yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application by June 10, 2025 the latest. You may apply online using the red button. We will recruit until the position is filled and when a suitable candidate is found. If you receive an error message while applying from abroad, please try again later or contact us for assistance.

  • Please include the following documents in your application (as PDF files): A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4)
  •  Your CV, including a list of publications
  • Contact details of at least two academic references

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue recruiting until the position is filled. The first (online) interviews are aimed to be scheduled from June 24-30, followed by a round of in-person visits if necessary. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the internal candidate.

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

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