Nora Hänni
University of Bern, Pädagogische Hochschule Bern
Research areas: Earth and Planetary Sciences · Space and Planetary Science · Astro and Planetary Science · Planetary Science and Exploration · Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
0000-0002-8253-6436
About
Nora Hänni is a chemist by training, with expertise in instrumental analytics and condensed matter research. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences from the University of Bern in 2016. Following maternity leave, she joined the Rosetta/ROSINA team at the Physics Institute of the University of Bern as a postdoctoral researcher, investigating the chemical complexity of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko through laboratory experiments and mass-spectrometric data from ESA’s Rosetta mission.
Her work spans semi-volatile species such as ammonium salts to complex organic molecules (COMs), with a particular interest in the origins and evolution of organic complexity in the Solar System. Since May 2026, she has led her own research group within the framework of an SNSF Starting Grant project, "Abiotic Organic Complexity", which investigates the inventory and ensemble properties of cometary organic molecules and how they compare to other reservoirs of Solar System organics.
Alongside her research, she is actively involved in university teaching and science communication. She holds a teaching diploma in Chemistry from the Bern University of Teacher Education (Pädagogische Hochschule Bern) and is passionate about making science accessible to children and the wider public, fostering dialogue between science and society.
Employment
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University of Bern Assistant Professor2026 - Present
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University of Bern Research associate2022 - 2026
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University of Bern Postdoctoral researcher2018 - 2022
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University of Bern Internship2017 - 2018
Education
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Pädagogische Hochschule Bern Lehrdiplom Chemie mit integrierter berufspädagogischer Qualifikation2018 - 2020
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University of Bern PhD in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences2012 - 2016
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University of Bern BSc. and MSc. in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences2007 - 2012
Projects & Funding
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Abiotic Organic Complexity (AOC) Swiss National Science Foundation2026 - 2031
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ComChemCom - Cometary Chemical Complexity University of Bern2021 - 2021
Publications (63)
- Water isotopes and hydronium in the evolving coma of 67P Save
- Comparative mass spectra analysis as a steppingstone towards a better understanding of the origin and evolution of Saturn’s rings Save
- Re-characterization of complex organic molecules and their fragments in comet 67P Save
- Sulphur isotopic composition of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Constraints from C34S2 measured by ROSINA Save
- Functionalization of Benzene Ices by Atomic Oxygen Save
- A Fantastic Voyage through Chemical Space Save
- CN storage in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Save
- H3O+ and D/H ratios in dust-related outgassing at 67P: Evidence for salt-rich grains? Save
- Nitrogen- and nitrogen-oxygen-bearing organic molecules in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: An untargeted investigation Save
- About nucleobases and amino acids on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Save
- Land of gas and dust – exploring bursting cavities on comet 67P Save
- Is dimethylsulfide a good biomarker? Save
- Evidence for Abiotic Dimethyl Sulfide in Cometary Matter Save
- #237IAF – Comet Interceptor, die Rosetta Mission und die Geheimnisse der Kometen (podcast) Save
- Land of Gas and Dust: Exploring Bursting Pockets on Comet 67P Save
- Measuring the 34S/32S isotopic ratio in CS2 at comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Save
- N-bearing complex organic molecules in comet 67P Save
- Sublimation of volatiles from H2O:CO2 bulk ices in the context of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Save
- Sublimation of volatiles from H2O:CO2 bulk ices in the context of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Save
- What is a presumed sign of life doing on a dead comet? Save