Yes, although the formal undergraduate research programme has not yet been rolled out. Please stay tuned for updates.

See the relevant links here at geoastronomy.org and/events at the Munich Centre for Geoastronomy.

Normally, research appointments in the geoastronomy project are advertised using the usual academic channels associated with a specific university or research centre. Furthermore, in the geoastronomy.org/opportunities website we will endeavor to share information about such opportunities.

Inaugurated in June 2025, the geoastronomy project is a 6 year effort led by 3 principal investigators that is funded through a grant from the European Research Council’s Synergy Programme. For more information: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101166936

Yes, in principle, the geoastronomy project has resources to partially support research visits of various duration in parallel with existing visitor support programmes at the different laboratories. Please feel free to contact us about your ideas so that we can begin a dialogue.

No, geoastronomy is not a purely astrophysics project. It is a transdisciplinary field that deliberately fuses principles of the geosciences (geology, geochemistry, petrology) with astrophysics and astronomy to understand the physical and chemical foundations of rocky exoplanets.

While geoastronomy uses astrophysics to observe planets, it relies heavily on geosciences to interpret what those observations mean for the physical nature of these worlds.

We offer state-of-the-art computing and experimental facilities at BGI, ISTO and LMU.

Geoastronomy is an emerging, transdisciplinary scientific field that bridges geosciences (geology, geochemistry, petrology) with astrophysics to understand the chemical and physical properties of rocky exoplanets.

Rather than studying planets solely through the lens of (astro)physics, geoastronomy treats rocky worlds as geological entities with a history, and investigates how their composition is expressed in internal structure and outgassing processes to shape their atmospheres. This approach has obvious relevance to investigating the potential for life on rocky exoplanets.

The primary difference between geoastronomy and planetary geology lies in their scope and focus:
planetary geology is the study of the solid, physical, and geological processes on specific planets, moons, and bodies mostly within our solar system, while geoastronomy is a broader, emerging transdisciplinary field that applies geological principles to understand the formation, chemical composition, and evolution of rocky exoplanets and their, potentially, life-supporting environments across the Galaxy.

Geoastronomy is a nascent, highly interdisciplinary field that merges Earth sciences (geochemistry, petrology, geodynamics) with Astrophysics (exoplanet science, stellar evolution). Research in this area involves understanding the chemical foundations of rocky exoplanets by applying geological principles to stellar and atmospheric data.

To pursue research in geoastronomy, it would help for you to have the following qualifications and skills:

1. Educational Background

• PhD or Master’s Degree: A PhD in Astrophysics, Geochemistry, Planetary Science, or Geophysics is usually required for a research-focused career, though specialized MSc programs are a starting point. Undergraduates interested in the topic should plan their coursework and research experience credentials, accordingly.
• Interdisciplinary Knowledge: A strong background bridging Earth and Planetary sciences is preferred. Candidates with expertise in one field (e.g., geology) and a working knowledge of another (e.g., astrophysics) would have a competitive advantage.
• Relevant Degrees: Suitable bachelor’s or master’s degrees include Physics, Astronomy, Geosciences,  or Engineering (particularly C.E.).

2. Core Scientific Competencies

• Geochemistry and Petrology: Expertise in the geochemistry of rock-forming elements, magma ocean physics, and planetary interior composition is desirable.
• Astrophysics and Stellar Evolution: Knowledge of stellar composition, galactic chemical evolution, and nucleosynthesis especially in relation to planet composition.
• Exoplanet Atmospheric Physics: Understanding spectroscopic data from telescopes (e.g., James Webb Space Telescope) to model retrieved atmospheric compositions.
• Quantitative Skills: A deep understanding of physical chemistry and thermodynamics is especially useful for modeling planetary materials, whereas a deep understanding of physics and astrophysics is crucial for modelng stellar properties.

3. Technical Skills

• Numerical Modeling and Simulation: Ability to model planetary atmospheres, internal structures, or geological evolution.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency in Python is helpful (often required), followed by C++ or IDL for analyzing large datasets and running simulations.
• Data Analysis: Experience with Bayesian inference, statistical techniques, or spectroscopic analysis.

4. Experience and Soft Skills

• Research Experience: Proven experience in related fields, such as observational astronomy (spectroscopy/photometry) or laboratory geochemistry.
• Communication: Ability to publish papers in peer-reviewed journals and present research at international conferences.
• Collaborative Ability: Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.

5. Specific Opportunities

• Munich Center for Geoastronomy (MCGA): This center is a key hub for this field, offering specialized MSc specializations and fellowships, bridging LMU Munich, the Bavarian Geoinstitute (BGI), and CNRS in France.
• ERC Synergy Grant Project: Led by researchers at LMU, CNRS, and UBT/BGI & HUN-REN, this project is shaping the field and actively recruiting.

In summary, the ideal candidate is someone who can bridge the gap between “wet” rock chemistry and “dry” astrophysical modeling, with strong skills in computation and a deep understanding of planetary systems.