Project Officer – PROSPECT Lunar Volatiles (Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MK7 6AA)

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About the Role

The Open University is seeking to appoint a Project Officer to support research activities associated with the ESA PROSPECT (Package for Resource Observation and in-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Commercial Exploitation and Transportation) payload, which will be deployed to the lunar south polar region as part of a NASA CLPS mission planned for launch in 2027.

The postholder will play a key role in supporting scientific, technical and operational activities related to the characterisation of lunar volatiles, the validation of PROSPECT science requirements, and the preparation of data products for use by the PROSPECT Science Team (PST). The role combines scientific project coordination, experimental oversight, data-handling activities and technical reporting, working closely with academic staff at The Open University, external collaborators, and ESA and industrial partners.

Establishing the in situ utilisation of lunar resources is central to enabling sustainable future space exploration. ESA’s PROSPECT payload is designed to identify, quantify and characterise volatile species, such as water, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and noble gases, within lunar south polar regolith, and to assess their origin, distribution and utilisation potential.

PROSPECT will extract subsurface samples using the ProSEED drill, process them in the ProsPA chemical laboratory, and analyse volatiles released during controlled heating experiments up to ~1000 °C. Measurements will include real-time gas analysis and high-precision isotopic determinations using a magnetic sector mass spectrometer.

Supporting laboratory-based experimental work on lunar soils, lunar soil components, volatile-rich mixtures, and icy regolith analogues is essential for validating ProsPA operational modes and interpreting flight data. This project also includes the development of data reduction and calibration pipelines to enable rapid and accessible use of PROSPECT data by PST members following lunar surface operations.

Key Responsibilities

The person appointed to this post will undertake duties to include: 

• Manage, plan, coordinate and perform calibration and analogue experiments in collaboration with the PROSPECT science team and the ProSPA industrial team, including work using the FINESSE mass spectrometer and the Bench Development Model/Qualification Model/Pre Flight Model.
• Monitor experimental progress against project milestones
• Contribute to operational planning for PROSPECT science activities, feeding experimental results into mission operations discussions.
• Make regular presentations to the project team and the wider PROSPECT Science Team to communicate progress and receive scientific and technical feedback.
• Carry out laboratory-based studies of lunar volatile inventories and isotopic compositions, including analyses of Apollo soils, separated soil components, meteorite–soil mixtures, and icy regolith analogues.
• Contribute to experiments investigating sublimation rates and hydrogen isotopic fractionation in icy regolith under vacuum and cryogenic conditions.
• Liaise with external partners, including the University of Manchester, on complementary noble gas analyses.
• Assist in the preparation of user-focused documentation, including “How-To” guides describing data processing steps and data product usage.
• Contribute to monthly progress reports summarising project activities and status.
• Contribute to the preparation of a detailed technical report summarising experimental methods, results and implications for PROSPECT operations; this report may be suitable for inclusion in, or development into, peer-reviewed publications.
• Contribute to the delivery of project outputs, including validated experimental datasets and data-processing software.

Data Pipeline Development, Integration, processing and archiving:

• Development of data reduction and calibration pipelines for PROSPECT science modes.
• Integration with ProSPA data pipeline software
• Coordinate with the PROSPECT Science team to ensure consistency in data reduction philosophy, formatting and documentation across datasets.
• Contribute to the processing and formatting of raw telemetry, Quicklook and calibrated datasets to ensure rapid, non-specialist access by PROSPECT Science Team members.
• Monitor and manage progress across experimental and data pipeline activities, ensuring alignment with project milestones and deliverables.
• Support the production of data products compliant with long-term archiving requirements.

All Staff are expected to: 

1. Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety arrangements are complied with.
2. Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
3. Attend appropriate staff development events. 

About You

Essential 
 

• A PhD in Physical Sciences or a closely related field. 
• Demonstrable experience of measuring and interpreting light element volatiles data using relevant mass spectrometric methods/instruments
• A strong research and publications record commensurate with the extent of experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Well-developed self-management skills with the ability to prioritise work appropriately, deal with several competing demands and manage own time effectively.
• Willingness to be based in Milton Keynes at the Open University and to travel for off-site work and to attend meetings.

Desirable 
 

• Demonstrable experience of building a data software pipeline
• Experience of developing and implementing research programmes and/or projects.
• Knowledge of health and safety issues when working in laboratory environments
• Experience of handling geological materials. 

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

This role will be based from our Milton Keynes campus 5 days per week. 

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Early closing date notification

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 500 words and should outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

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