โ
Vacancy in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years and is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
Description
Reporting to the Head of the Enterprise Section, you will be responsible for defining and implementing projects supporting the development of innovative security-related applications involving EO data, primary new synthetic aperture radar, mid/thermal infrared or hyperspectral data streams. This will include the integration of EO data streams with non-EO data including IoT sensor networks and open source intelligence as well as the integration of leading edge complementary capabilities including new inter-satellite linkage (ISL) capabilities, in-orbit processing and also relevant AI-based processing, data fusion and inference technologies.
You will manage innovative developments to build EO applications-based industrial competence in the context of ESA programmes, particularly for activities in Block 4 (Science for Society) of the ESA FutureEO Programme and for the Civil Security from Space programme, which is a joint initiative between the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes and of Connectivity and Secure Communications. Support is also envisaged for additional development activities under the ESA โRapid and Resilient Crisis Response Accelerator (R3)โ initiative.
Duties
You will be responsible for building increased use of civilian EO capabilities in all security domains consistent with the ESA Convention with a particular focus on the opportunities for the commercial space sector in Europe. This will initially include domains such as law enforcement, protection of civilians, support to managing crisis onset and mitigation, and enhanced civil/military cooperation in Earth observation-related domains.
Responsibilities include:
- engaging with key stakeholders from the diverse security communities and identifying opportunities for strategic collaboration at international and national level;
- building awareness and acceptance of civilian/commercial EO capabilities among security stakeholders to foster longer-term adoption and consolidating their information requirements;
- identifying and addressing structural impediments to the take-up of civilian/commercial EO-based products/services in the different security domains and elaborating relevant space-based solutions;
- defining, implementing and managing innovative projects to develop new SAR, IR and hyperspectral applications that address priority interests and opportunities in the security domain, in combination with complementary data collection, processing and communications technologies;
- defining, implementing and managing pioneering developments to customise state-of-the-art technologies (such as AI methods, AR/VR tools and ultra-fast database technologies) to support new security-related applications of SAR, IR and hyperspectral datasets. This will include regular assessment of data science, ICT and NewSpace developments with respect to exploitation potential for stakeholders within the wider security domain;
- supporting the definition and execution of multi-directorate security-related developments in the framework of the Civil Security from Space programme and the Rapid and Resilience Crisis Response Accelerator (R3);
- cooperating with other ESA teams involved in industrial innovation, particularly the ฮฆ-Lab Invest Office, the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications and other relevant ESA directorates to address evolving security domain priorities;
- contributing to ESA communication efforts promoting EO results, mission achievements and EO benefits for society;
- supervising and supporting the work of Young Graduate Trainees, National Trainees and Research Fellows.
Technical competencies Experience in the application of one or more of the following: synthetic aperture radar, mid/thermal infrared imaging or hyperspectral imagingExperience in the application of satellite EO data and complementary data streams with European security-related stakeholdersKnowledge and experience in AI-based processing of EO data and AI-based inference based on fusion of EO and non-EO datasetsKnowledge of European and global security environments and the European commercial Earth observation sectorExperience in setting up and executing projects involving the exploitation of Earth observation data in combination with complementary data streams
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
Applicants should have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant domain such as remote sensing, geophysics, signal processing, computer science/data science or applied physics.
Additional requirements
Specialist experience of working in one of the following areas would be an advantage โ law enforcement, risk management, crisis mitigation/response or civil-military cooperation.
Direct experience and expertise working with European NewSpace operators would be an advantage.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agencyโs security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the masterโs degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States. โ