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
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
The Science Programme oversees a range of missions, including large (L), medium (M) and fast (F) missions, which are regularly renewed through open calls for missions. Following such calls, selected candidates undergo Phase 0/A/B1 studies within the Science Mission Studies Division (SCI-FM) in the Future Missions Department (SCI-F). There are currently five M7 and one F2 mission candidates in the process of completing Phase 0.
You will work either within the Solar System Section or the Astrophysics Mission Section of the Science Mission Studies Division, depending on the mission candidates selected. You will lead the study relating to one of the selected future mission candidates during Phase 0/A/B1 until adoption and will be expected to work within a dedicated team and in close cooperation with the Instrument Studies Section (SCI-FIS) for science instrument payload-related matters and with the Technology Preparation Section (SCI-FT) for technology development activities.
Duties
Your duties will primarily be centred around leading the study activities for the selected mission candidate, with a focus on but not limited to the following responsibilities:
- Leading or providing support to assessment and definition studies relating to future Voyage 2050 missions. This encompasses internal studies conducted by the Agency and the management of study contracts awarded to European industry, including preparing invitations to tender and overseeing the technical progress of industrial teams;
- For a given mission study, establishing technical liaisons with relevant external entities, such as the science study team in collaboration with the Study Scientist, specific technical working groups, mission operations teams at ESOC, science operations teams at ESAC, and payload study teams for payload definition. In some cases, this may also involve coordination with international partnersโ technical teams;
- Taking the lead in managing an internal team consisting of support specialists from technical and operations directorates and from within the Science Future Missions Department;
- Contributing to the identification, preparation and execution of technology development activities as part of the Science Core Technology Programme in collaboration with the Technology Preparation Section;
- Conducting technical and programmatic analyses, including assessing the technical feasibility, schedule, cost and risk assessment associated with future science missions and their payloads;
- For Missions of Opportunity within the domains of astrophysics and fundamental physics, supporting the coordination and execution of ESAโs contributions to partner space agencies;
- Contributing to the renewal of the Science Programme and related calls for themes and missions. This includes tasks such as preparing technical call information, evaluating proposals and conducting Phase 0 studies for selected candidates;
- Contributing to various Section-, Division- and Department-related tasks as they arise, such as reporting, reviews and evaluations.
Technical competencies Extensive experience in space mission studies or projectsExtensive space system engineering experience and understanding of system requirements and interfaces, including payloadsManagement of industrial activities, including preparation and execution of reviewsKnowledge of cost estimation, including industrial costs and schedule aspectsKnowledge of space science missions
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A masterโs degree or PhD in engineering or applied physics is required.
Additional requirements
You should:
โข possess strong capabilities to effectively interface with ESA stakeholders, including scientific institutions, and industry;
โข have the ability to work autonomously;
โข be system- and result-oriented, with an end-to-end view.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.