Vacancy in the Directorate of Science.
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 post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Caรฑada, Spain or ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Description
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, plor ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlandsanetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to โempower Europe to lead space scienceโ.
The Science and Operations Department (SCI-S) within ESA's Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers who oversee the space missions from study to end of operations, develop the science operation systems for the missions and operate the missions in space, archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.
If selected for this position, you will be assigned as Project Scientist, initially for the Gaia mission, under the direct responsibility of the Head of the Astrophysics Survey Mission Section (SCI-SCS) in the Science Division within SCI-S.
You will be expected to strive for innovation and excellence in interfacing and directly engaging with the ESA astronomical community and the public with the goal of keeping the mission and its science prominent and visible. You will work in close collaboration with the Gaia Mission Manager, the Science Operations Team, and the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) to ensure that the scientific objectives of the mission are achieved and to maximise its scientific return, adhering to the applicable technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints.
From time to time, you may also be asked to advise ESA management in the areas of your scientific competence and support the future activities of the Science Programme, such as studies/assessments of future missions or participation in reviews.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- working closely with the Gaia Mission Manager, ensuring that the scientific objectives of the missions are achieved and that its overall scientific return is maximised throughout the operations and post-operations phases;
- acting as the interface for all scientific matters between the operations teams, the Gaia Science Team, and the Gaia DPAC, as well as institutional and international partners and the astronomy community;
- supervising the Gaia data releases and maximising their usability;
- exploring and supporting synergies with other space missions or ground-based facilities, using Gaiaโs data releases to enhance their scientific return;
- preparing and disseminating relevant scientific documentation and reporting to ESA management and the advisory bodies when required;
- promoting Gaia to the wider scientific community at conferences and by electronic means and supporting broader Directorate/Agency outreach and education activities.
Technical competencies Active researcher in a relevant field of space scienceKnowledge of the latest developments in research and facilities in the relevant fieldKnowledge and experience of scientific space missions and payloadsExperience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at international levelExperience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A PhD in Astrophysics or in a related field is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Desirable assets include a good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context and experience in any of the following:
- Large-scale astronomical surveys;
- Management of large scientific teams and coordination of the scientific community.
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.
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 email 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.