The European Commission has recently approved under the Framework 7 Programme the ITN-People network LASSIE; a large interdisciplinary training network in the field of SOLID STATE ASTROCHEMISTRY established with the goal of addressing issues of relevance to the chemical evolution of the Universe. From 01/02/2010 and over the next 4 years, a consortium of 13 experimental and theoretical groups with 5 industrial and 1 outreach partners, led by Professor Martin McCoustra (Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK), will supply training and research opportunities for up to 28 Early Stage Researchers (ESR, PhD students) and 4 Experienced Researchers (ER, Post-doctoral research assistants) at the following host sites:

To qualify as an Early Stage Researcher (ESR), candidates must have obtained a Masters Degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy or a related Engineering field within the past four years and demonstrate experience in experimental physics, chemical physics, physical chemistry, surface science, computational chemistry and astronomy, or theoretical astrochemistry and astrophysics. Applicants considering themselves as Experienced Researchers (ER) must already possess a Doctoral Degree or have at least 4 years of research experience (full time equivalent) since obtaining their Masters Degree. They must also have relevant expertise in one or more of the indicated areas.

The consortium is immediately hiring the first tranche of researchers with 14 ESR and 3 ER positions available NOW. Applications may be considered up to a final deadline of 30th November 2010 for appointment in 2011 of a further 14 ESR and 1 ER positions. All nationalities are eligible to apply but candidates have to fulfil the EU mobility criteria and will be required to work at a site outside their home country.