PhD Position Beyond 1D: Unveiling 3D Structure in Ganymede's Interior Using Juice

In this PhD project, you will explore Ganymede’s hidden ocean and ice shell using 3D numerical models in preparation for ESA’s Juice (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) mission.

Job description

The subsurface oceans of icy moons in the outer Solar System are among the most promising extraterrestrial habitats. Recognizing their astrobiological significance, space agencies have prioritized their exploration. In the coming decade, NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s Juice missions will investigate the Jovian system, with Juice becoming the first spacecraft to orbit an icy moon—Ganymede. One of Juice’s primary goals is to characterize Ganymede’s interior, including the structure of its ice shell and subsurface ocean.

Understanding lateral heterogeneities in the ice shell is critical for assessing Ganymede’s habitability. Variations in shell thickness can reflect oceanic processes like upwelling or circulation, which may sustain a habitable environment over geologic timescales. However, most existing studies that examine Ganymede’s response to tidal forcing assume a spherically symmetric shell.

This project aims to investigate Ganymede’s 3D structure and assess how well Juice can constrain it. To this end, you will:

• Explore the likely extent of lateral variations in Ganymede’s shell using numerical models.
• Integrate tidal and convective models to simulate its three-dimensional evolution and analyze its fingerprint on the moon’s present-day gravity and shape.
• Assess the capabilities of Juice’s Gravity and Geophysics of Jupiter and Ganymede (3GM) and Ganymede Laser Altimeter (GALA) instruments to detect these features by generating synthetic tracking and altimetry data.
• Use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to quantify how well Juice could constrain Ganymede’s internal structure.

This study will offer the first detailed assessment of 3D variations in Ganymede’s ice shell and pioneer methods to map them using Juice data. The findings will improve our understanding of icy moons’ evolution and support future missions in the search for life beyond Earth.

The PhD project will be carried out in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Part of the research will be conducted through extended research visits to DLR and potentially other partner institutions, offering strong international exposure and hands-on collaboration with mission scientists.

Job requirements

Required/expected background:

• Obtained or soon-to-be-obtained MSc degree (or equivalent qualifying degree for PhD studies) in physics, Earth or planetary science, or a closely related field.
• Background knowledge in planetary interiors and geophysics.
• Familiarity with continuum mechanics.
• Experience working with numerical methods and/or scientific computing.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken).

Desirable skills:

• Experience with geodynamical, tidal, or thermal modeling.
• Knowledge of astrodynamics and orbit determination.
• Interest in space missions, planetary exploration, and astrobiology.

TU Delft

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.

When you join us, you become part of a diverse, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment where your ideas and perspectives are valued. Our work extends beyond the lab—into field labs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with other faculties, research institutes, governments, and industry, both locally and globally.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts: an initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.