About me

Current Research

Since 2009, I have been actively involved in the field of space research and planetary exploration, including the design, development and qualification of space instrumentation. My expertise covers various scientific and technical disciplines, including e.g., laser ablation (LA) and laser ablation ionisation mass spectrometry (LIMS), the design and development of ion optical systems in mass spectrometers, pulsed laser systems (femtosecond and nanosecond laser systems), gas- and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS, LC-MS), amino acid and lipid extraction techniques, the programming of new software packages for complex data handling and analysis. Currently, within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, I focus on the development of in situ measurement methodologies for the detection of biosignatures, such as amino acids, using a miniature laser ablation ionisation reflectron-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer (instrument name LMS) that was originally designed for elemental composition investigations of solids arising in planetary surfaces. Image credit: Dres Hubacher.

Research Positions and Education

  • 03/2020 - present: Scientist, Physics Institute, Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 10/2022: Venia Docendi, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 10/2019 - 02/2020: Einstein Fellow, Experimental Biophysics and Space Sciences, Department of Physics, Free University of Berlin, Germany
  • 10/2017 - 09/2019: Marie-Curie Fellow, Laboratory for Astrophysics, Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, The Netherlands
  • 06/2016 - 02/2018: Associate Researcher within MASE project (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration, EU FP7 Project); MASE ended in February 2018
  • 08/2017 - 09/2017: PostDoc, Physics Institute, Space Research and Planetary Sciences, Noble Gas Group, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 02/2016 - 07/2017: SNSF Fellow, Sackler Laboratory for Astrophysics, Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, The Netherlands
  • 07/2014 - 01/2016: PostDoc, Physics Institute, Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 06/2014: PhD in Physics, Physics Institute, Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 09/2013: Certification in Research Management (Certificate of Advanced Studies), University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 03/2010: MSc. in Physics, Physics Institute, Space Research and Planetary Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 02/2009: BSc. in Physics, Astronomical Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland

Current Affiliation

Name: Andreas Riedo, PD Dr.

Affilation: Space Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute,
University of Bern, Switzerland
Sidlerstrasse 5, CH-3012 Bern

E-Mail: andreas.riedo(at)unibe.ch