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- Tasks: Explore Mars and the Moon through innovative research on impact craters.
- Company: Join the Natural History Museum, a leading science research centre.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, training in remote sensing, and work with top experts.
- Why this job: Make groundbreaking discoveries that could change our understanding of planetary evolution.
- Qualifications: Background in geosciences, geology, or planetary science is preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) funded PhD Studentship on 'Secondary Impact Craters as Absolute Stratigraphic Markers at Landing Sites on Mars and the Moon'. Lead Institution: Natural History Museum (NHM). Lead Supervisor: Peter Grindrod, NHM. Co-Supervisor: Joseph McNeil, NHM. Co-Supervisor: Katherine Joy, University of Manchester. Co-Supervisor: Gareth Collins, Imperial. The student will be registered at the University of Manchester.
Project Summary
Impact cratering is ubiquitous across the Solar System. Due to their abundance, impact craters are key to understanding the evolution of planetary surfaces. This project will exploit the vast secondary crater population to investigate a range of features and processes on Mars and the Moon. This work will involve refining the method of primary and secondary crater identification in remote sensing data, before developing a modern workflow of their use as absolute stratigraphic markers. This novel approach will be applied to a range of key science questions on Mars and the Moon. The outcome of this project will be a new, widely applicable, and open method of deriving absolute surface ages.
Project Description
Stratigraphy is at the heart of understanding the evolution of all solid planetary bodies. Beyond the Earth, despite being arguably the most important factor, time is inherently difficult to determine. The limited number of samples available for detailed geochronological analysis in laboratories severely limits the locations in the Solar System for which we have absolute ages. Instead, planetary science is rooted in applying superposition theory (relative ages) and extrapolated impact crater chronologies ('crater counting'). The only way to derive an age of a planetary surface through remote sensing methods is through crater size-frequency distribution (CSFD) analysis, a powerful, widely applicable, and common technique across the entire Solar System, but one that has been inherently limited to studies of sufficiently large areas. Secondary impact craters ('secondaries') are produced during the excavation stage of the cratering process, from material ejected from the primary crater. A single impact can generate up to 107 secondaries. These secondary craters are often removed as problematic in studies of the age of planetary surfaces. This project will instead exploit the secondary crater population as absolute stratigraphic markers, to make new insights into a range of processes on Mars and the Moon. This project will refine the method for identifying primary and secondary craters on planetary surfaces, before developing a modern application of secondary impact craters as absolute stratigraphic markers.
- Secondary impacts at the Rosalind Franklin rover landing site. The European Space Agency (ESA) Rosalind Franklin rover will launch in 2028. The main rock types for in situ exploration in the landing site in Oxia Planum likely formed almost 4 billion years ago. Understanding the relative and absolute age of all geological units in the landing site is crucial for both mission planning and deciphering the geological history of this area. This project will identify secondary craters in Oxia Planum, and determine a formation age for candidate primary craters. This project will provide the first attempt to bracket the formation age of geological units and processes in the landing site through the use of secondary craters.
- Quantify secondary cratering at the Artemis III landing sites. Using secondary craters to indirectly date distant features was used successfully during the Apollo missions to determine the ages of both the Copernicus and Tycho impact events. This project will use a similar theory refined for the possible future Artemis III landing sites to identify potential source regions for material brought into the landing sites through impact ejecta processes, to better understand possible chemical mixing processes, and where possible provide absolute ages to geological units in the exploration areas.
- Refine numerical models linking primary and secondary craters. Identifying secondary craters, and their associated primaries, is not trivial. At relatively short distances from their primaries, secondaries often show distinctive elements of asymmetry (e.g. depth, crater rim height, ejecta distribution); however, at relatively large distances, these diagnostic features are usually not present. This project will refine methods of identifying secondary craters, and their associated primary craters, using machine-learning crater identification, GIS-based clustering methods, and numerical impact modelling using a shock physics code.
About you
This project will use techniques from different disciplines, providing the student with training in the use of remote sensing data for Mars and the Moon, GIS software (ArcGIS, ENVI, SocetSet), and numerical modelling and programming languages (iSALE, Python). The project would suit an enthusiastic individual with a background in geosciences in general, and geology and/or planetary science in particular.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying, please click below on apply for this job. You must complete the Personal Statement Questions as part of your application. Please also upload a CV. Closing date: Friday 20 February 2026, 23:59 GMT. Interviews expected: Early March 2026. This is a competitive application process. All applications will be reviewed by the project supervisory team and an academic panel. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, which usually lasts 30-60 minutes. As part of the process, shortlisted applicants will also be offered the opportunity to visit the NHM, to meet the wider research group, and tour relevant facilities. Shortlisted applicants will usually find out the outcome a few days after all interviews have been held. UKRI only covers home fees which increase annually. If you have any questions please contact the lead supervisor.
STFC PhD Studentship - Secondary Impact craters employer: National History Museum
Contact Detail:
National History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land STFC PhD Studentship - Secondary Impact craters
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Museum's mission and values inside out. When you walk into that interview, let your passion for the natural world shine through. Show us how your background in geosciences aligns with our vision of a thriving planet!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. We want to see your enthusiasm and expertise, so make sure you're ready to discuss your research ideas and how they fit into our projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! This is your chance to find out more about the team and the exciting work we do. It shows us that you’re genuinely interested and engaged, which is exactly what we’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your skills and experience in a way that stands out. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace STFC PhD Studentship - Secondary Impact craters
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for planetary science and how it connects to your experiences.
Tailor Your Personal Statement: Make sure to customise your personal statement to reflect the specific project and its goals. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the Secondary Impact Craters project – this will show us you’re genuinely interested!
Show Your Enthusiasm: We love seeing candidates who are excited about their work! Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the research and how you can contribute to our mission at the Museum. It really makes a difference!
Check Your Application Before Submitting: Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough once-over. Typos and errors can distract from your amazing qualifications, so take the time to ensure everything is polished and professional. And remember, apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at National History Museum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of impact craters and planetary science. Familiarise yourself with the latest research and methodologies related to secondary impact craters, as well as the specific projects mentioned in the job description. This will show your genuine interest and expertise during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Diversity
Since the Museum values diversity and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. Share any experiences or ideas you have about fostering diversity in research or teamwork, as this aligns with their core values.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the PhD project, the team you'll be working with, and the Museum's vision. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Focus on explaining complex concepts simply, as you may need to do this when discussing your research ideas or methodologies during the interview.
