PIF2024 - Leveraging Earth-Mars Analogues: Iceland as a Window into Martian Geology and Habitability (PID2023-146856NB-I00)

The PhD student will join the most appropriate Doctoral Program within the Escuela de Doctorado de Ciencias, Tecnologías e Ingenierías (University of Granada) and receive training through courses, seminars, and lectures. The plan includes: (i) Introduction to the topic, literature review, and specialized training in relevant techniques; (ii) Radiative transfer modeling in planetary sciences; (iii) Selection and characterization of study areas using Mars-like methodologies, satellite imagery, drone data, field mapping, and sampling; (iv) Mineralogical and geochemical sample characterization with PLM, XRD, SEM-TEM-EDS, FTIR, Mössbauer spectroscopy, etc.; (v) 1-3 month stays at international institutions: Natural History Museum (VNIR spectra analysis), ISOR-University of Akureyri (mapping, microorganism study), Middlebury College (correlation of sample analyses), University of Aberdeen (Mars atmospheric chamber); (vi) Seminars to present progress and discuss results; (vii) Presentation of results at national and international conferences (e.g., AGU, EGU, DPS); (viii) Publishing in peer-reviewed journals (e.g., JGR, Icarus, Nature Geosciences); (ix) Participation in outreach activities; (x) Writing and defense of the PhD thesis by early fourth year to apply for postdoctoral positions.