Missions

The Oued Chebeika 002 meteorite, recently found in Marocco, was classified as a fresh CI1 object, the same class as Orgueil or Ivuna akin to samples from asteroid Ryugu. It has not yet been modified by interactions with the terrestrial atmosphere. The research of the successful applicant will consist in establishing the inventory of the organic content of Oued Chebeika 002, with the goal to make this meteorite a reference basis for CI1 chondrites. He/she will employ improved protocols for the extraction and characterization of various soluble organic molecules contained in the meteorite. The targeted molecules include amino acids, carboxylic acids, amines, nucleobases, sugar derivatives or PAHs. An untargeted approach to determine the molecular diversity of water and solvent soluble molecules is also possible. The successful applicant will compare results with literature data on other carbonaceous chondrites to discuss the influence of parent body processes and the sources of accreted materials.

Activités

• Extraction and purification of soluble organic compounds of the Oued Chebeika 002 CI chondrite.
• Characterization of these organic molecules by means of chromatography, mass spectrometry or NMR.
• Determination of isotope composition of these organic molecules.
• Production of high-quality research papers.
• Presentation of scientific results to international conferences.
• Promotion of both internal and external collaborations.
• Help for supervision of graduate students (Master or PhD).
• Contribution to the scientific activity within the team.

Compétences

• Expertise in analytical chemistry and organic chemistry.
• Expertise in extraction of soluble organic matter from natural rocky samples (solid/liquid)
• Expertise in chromatography and mass spectrometry including relevant sample preparation procedures.
• Ability to conduct independent high-quality research.
• Good ability for team work.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Creativity.

Contexte de travail

The research will take place at Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, UMR between Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Sorbonne Université and Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. IMPMC is a pluridisciplinary departement where research relies on the combination of approaches from material science, Earth science and biology. These are the three main components of the department.
The successful applicant will join the ROCKS team; the investigation of the processes at play in the evolution and preservation of organic matter in rocks during geological processes constitutes one of the main topics of the team.
This research will benefit from a national collaborative network for the characterization of extraterrestrial organic molecules in natural objects

Contraintes et risques

The activities will happen at IMPMC, both at Buffon (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle) and Jussieu (Sorbonne Université) locations. The position will involve trips in France, to ensure collaborations with distant scientific teams and access to specific analytical facilities. Several trips abroad, for attending to international conferences and workshops are planned. The position will require manipulation of chemicals. IMPMC is equipped with all the required safety devices and equipment.