The structure of organic carbon in carbonaceous asteroids in comparison to terrestrial recovered meteorites

CHAN_R25ARIES

The structure of organic carbon in carbonaceous asteroids in comparison to terrestrial recovered meteorites

CHAN_R25ARIES

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Queenie Chan, Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London – contact me

Professor Sara Russell, Natural History Museum

Dr Ashley King, Natural History Museum

Professor Martin King, RHUL – Earth Sciences

Scientific background

Organic compounds in asteroids contain information about the delivery of volatiles and organic components to the early Earth. The Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer) missions have returned pristine regolith samples from the carbonaceous asteroids Ryugu and Bennu, respectively (Nakamura et al. 2022; Lauretta and Connolly et al. 2024). This project aims at providing an account of the impact of asteroidal alteration processes on the organic and mineralogical compositions of the returned asteroidal samples, and to properly address the nature of the primordial carbonaceous material and their spatial distribution on primitive asteroids.

Research methodology

The successful candidate will study and compare the mineralogy and organic content of space mission returned asteroidal samples (asteroid Ryugu – Hayabusa2 sample; asteroid Bennu – OSIRIS-REx samples) to terrestrial recovered CI chondritic meteorites, such as the Ivuna meteorite – the most recent and sizable CI meteorite fall. Using polished thin sections and raw (unprocessed) chips of samples, you will use a broad range of analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), to characterise the mineralogical and organic distribution of these specimens.

Training

The successful candidate will be primarily located at Royal Holloway, and also be hosted at the Natural History Museum for a minimum period of 3 months during the project, where the student will have access to world-leading meteorite and mineral collections and state-of-the-art analytical facilities. In addition to the mandatory cohort training events organised by DTP, the successful candidate will be given training for transferrable skills such as wet chemical and clean lab techniques, extraterrestrial sample handling techniques, mineral identification, spectroscopic data interpretation, and the analytical methods necessary for the implementation of this project at RHUL and NHM. You will be trained by specialists on a 1:1 bespoke basis on meteoritic sample preparation and the use of analytical instruments including SEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and STXM-XANES. You will also have access to other training opportunities at RH such as inSTIL teacher training programme accredited by the Higher Education Academy.

Person specification

We are looking for an individual with interest in laboratory analysis, and with a passion for organic geochemistry and meteoritics. Candidates should have a degree in Geology/Chemistry/Physics (or equivalent), preferably with knowledge of mineralogy and geochemistry. Laboratory experience and some knowledge of meteorites is desirable but not essential.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Geology/Chemistry/Physics

References

  • D. Lauretta, …., A. J. King, Sara S. Russell, …, et al. ‘Asteroid (101955) Bennu in the laboratory: Properties of the sample collected by OSIRIS‐REx’, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2024.
  • Queenie H.S. Chan, T. Nakamura, M. Zolensky, et al. (20 authors), and the Hayabusa2 initial analysis Core team. ‘Oxygen-bearing organic components in Ryugu samples’, 86th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, July 2024
  • Queenie H.S. Chan, Jonathan S. Watson, Mark A. Sephton, Aine C. O’Brien and Lydia J. Hallis. ‘The amino acid and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compositions of the promptly recovered CM2 Winchcombe carbonaceous chondrite’, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2023.
  • Mark A. Sephton, Queenie H.S. Chan, Jonathan S. Watson, Mark J. Burchell, Vassilia Spathis, Monica M. Grady, Alexander B. Verchovsky, Feargus A. J. Abernethy and Ian A. Franchi. ‘Insoluble Macromolecular Organic Matter in the Winchcombe Meteorite’, Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 2023.
  • A. King, …., Sara S. Russell, …, Queenie H.S. Chan, … et al. (137 co-authors) ‘The Winchcombe Meteorite, a Unique and Pristine Witness from the Outer Solar System’, Science Advances, 2022.

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2025. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 8th January 2025.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£19,237 p.a. for 2024/25) and research funding. A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note however that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgradute researcher (PGRs) benefit from bespoke graduate training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or imigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive, and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential, and will be stored on the UEA sharepoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships, and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be ask to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • If funded under the BBSRC-NERC DLA scheme, ARIES studentships will be subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. See https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information

Apply Now

Apply now via the  RHUL Application Portal