{"id":144688,"date":"2025-12-18T11:13:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T03:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/?post_type=hdr-r-projects&#038;p=144688"},"modified":"2026-02-11T09:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T01:53:59","slug":"unlocking-solar-system-secrets-from-asteroid-sample-return-missions","status":"publish","type":"hdr-r-projects","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/hdr-r-projects\/unlocking-solar-system-secrets-from-asteroid-sample-return-missions\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking Solar System Secrets from Asteroid Sample Return Missions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-xlarge\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1260\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-1260x630.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-144002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-1260x630.jpeg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-740x370.jpeg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-480x240.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-1520x760.jpeg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_130161929-scaled-1-1920x960.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1260px) 100vw, 1260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Curtin University\u2019s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the <a href=\"https:\/\/jdlc.curtin.edu.au\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/jdlc.curtin.edu.au\/\">John de Laeter Centre<\/a> (JdLC) are seeking <strong>curious, motivated, science-driven researchers<\/strong> to join a new ARC-funded research program focused on <strong>sample-return materials from three of the most scientifically important asteroids in the Solar System: Bennu (NASA OSIRIS-REx), Ryugu (JAXA Hayabusa2), and Itokawa (JAXA Hayabusa1).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project provides an exceptional opportunity to work closely with <strong>NASA<\/strong>, <strong>JAXA<\/strong>, and international collaborators on cutting-edge planetary materials\u2014samples that are rewriting what we know about early Solar System processes, parent body evolution, and volatile history. The successful applicant will join a vibrant planetary science group in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/sstc\/\">Space Science and Technology Centre<\/a>&nbsp;(SSTC) at Curtin and have <strong>hands-on access to one of the largest and most advanced instrument suites in Australia<\/strong>, including microstructural, geochemical, and geochronology facilities housed within the JdLC. We are looking for people who are genuinely passionate about discovery, excited by meticulous analytical work, and interested in building a long-term academic career in planetary science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size\">Ideal Candidate <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Essential Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Masters degree (MSc, MPhil) and\/or a research-focused Bachelor qualification (e.g., 1st class or 2A Honours in Australia; MSci in the UK) in <strong>geosciences<\/strong> or <strong>planetary sciences<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience in analytical and sample-characterisation techniques in one or more of the following: <strong>microstructure<\/strong>, <strong>petrology<\/strong>, <strong>geochemistry<\/strong>, or <strong>geochronology<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-motivated and able to work independently while managing research progress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence of communicating research findings in an academic setting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strong communication, presentation, and writing skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Highly Desirable Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Evidence of publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals (relative to opportunity).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A background in planetary science.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience handling or analysing <strong>astromaterials<\/strong> (meteorites, returned samples, cosmic dust, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>This opportunity is available to Domestic and International applicants and requires Full time enrolment on Campus in a Doctor of Philosophy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The successful candidate will be provided with an internship opportunity, to support the research project.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size\">Scholarship <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One scholarship is available and is funded by Curtin University to support a new Australian Research Council Discovery Project \u201c<strong>Unlocking Solar System Secrets from Asteroid Sample Return Missions<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The successful applicant will be awarded a Scholarship comprising a stipend (living allowance) of AU$40,000 per anum for three years, which includes a standard base rate of AU$37,500 per anum plus a AU$2,500 per anum top-up by the Space Science and Technology Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>International candidates will receive a Tuition Fee Offset scholarship from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, which covers 100% tuition fees. Project costs will be covered by funds from Australian Research Council Discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size\">Enquiries <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For enquires please contact Associate Professor Nick Timms at <a href=\"mailto:n.timms@curtin.edu.au\">n.timms@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply please submit a formal <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.curtin.edu.au\/Produce\/Form\/External%20Forms\/Graduate%20Research\/\"><strong>Expression of Interest<\/strong><\/a> to A\/Prof Nick Timms<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications close: 15 March 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":0,"template":"","faculties":[51],"research_areas":[35],"class_list":["post-144688","hdr-r-projects","type-hdr-r-projects","status-publish","hentry","faculties-science-and-engineering","research_areas-space"],"acf":false,"featured_image":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects\/144688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/hdr-r-projects"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects\/144688\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"faculties","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculties?post=144688"},{"taxonomy":"research_areas","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research_areas?post=144688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}