Student assistant (f/m/d) 41 h/month limited to 29.02.2028 (end of project) reference code: SHK-SUDA-CLOUD_A

Application deadline: July, 20 2026

The Planetary Science and Remote Sensing research group at the Institute of Geological Sciences at the FU Berlin is participating in NASA's Europa Clipper mission through their involvement in the dust detector instrument onboard that mission. As a part of this activity, the group develops theoretical models for the dust environment of Jupiter’s moon Europa. We are looking for a student with programming skills and experience in classical mechanics or the dynamics of solar system bodies. The work to be carried out is suitable for a master's thesis in the field of planetary science or physics.

Job description:
The task for the student position will be the supervised application of a software tool that was developed in the group to understand the ejection of small particles (dust) from planetary moons. The work is embedded in ongoing efforts to prepare measurements that will be performed by the Surface Dust Analyzer (SUDA) instrument that is part of a space mission (the NASA Europa Clipper) to Jupiter's moon Europa. This position will contribute to a project that explores how the temporal variability of Europa's dust environment can affect these measurements.

Desirable:
• Knowledge in the field of planetology
• Knowledge of classical mechanics
• Programming experience
• very good English language skills (B2/C1)

→ For further information, please contact Dr. Jürgen Schmidt (juergen.schmidt@fu-berlin.de / 030 838 71050).

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Further information:

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Dr. Jürgen Schmidt: plansec@zedat.fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geowissenschaften
Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften
FR Planetologie und Fernerkundung, AG Postberg
 Dr. Jürgen Schmidt
Malteserstr. 74-100
Haus D, 12249 Berlin (Lankwitz)

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Joboffer from: June, 29 2026