Porz-Wahn, Germany
Full Time
3 hours ago
Job description
Internal Research Fellowship Opportunities in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we 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 F2 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or ESOC with a resident assignment to EAC, Cologne.
Our team and mission
ESA’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists the opportunity to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines relating to space science, space applications or space technology. ESA Research Fellows enjoy a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of space science and experience at first hand how ESA works with (scientific) communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from its missions and activities.
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.
Specifically, Research Fellowships in HRE offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration programme in the fields of Human Exploration Science, Biology, Physical, and Moon and Mars Sciences.
The Research Fellowship is a two-year contract with the possibility of renewal for a third year.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
There are no pre-defined projects; you are invited to prepare an independent research proposal for a project based on your interests and expertise.
List of target topics:
| Disciplines | Themes |
HRE activities and missions related to the themes |
| Human Exploration | Countermeasures to mitigate impact of space-associated risks to crew health and performance | Ground-based Facilities, Space analogues (bedrest, dry immersion, isolation studies, Concordia research station, etc.), ISS, Gateway |
| Behavioural health and mental well-being of crew | Isolation and confinement studies, ISS, Gateway | |
| Cross discipline | Space Habitation, including Biological Life Support Systems | Ground-based Facilities, Space analogues (bedrest, dry immersion, isolation studies, Concordia research station, etc.), ISS, Gateway |
| Advanced biological models and applied tissue engineering (e.g., synthetic biology, organoids, 3D bioprinting) | Ground-Based Facilities, IBPER (ground accelerator) facilities, ISS, Gateway | |
| Radiation Biology | Ground-Based Facilities, IBPER (ground accelerator) facilities, ISS, Gateway | |
| Physical sciences | Fundamental physics in space: measurements of time and gravity, High energy cosmic ray and atmosphere physics | ACES, ISOC, Gravitational waves detector on the Moon ASIM, EUSO, other ISS payloads |
| Physical sciences | Advanced manufacturing, solidification in reduced gravity and Material sciences, Fluid , soft matter and plasma physics. | EML, MSL, Transparent alloys, X-ray facility , Soft Matter Dynamics, PK4 |
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship (continues)
| Disciplines | Themes | HRE activities and missions related to the themes |
| Moon science | Mapping and reporting potential lunar resources | PROSPECT, EMS, Small missions call. |
| Moon science | The integrated environment on and around the Moon and its effects | ERSA, IDA, HADES, NILS, ASTERIA |
| Mars science | TGO Science Exploitation:
|
Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) |
| Mars science | Preparatory orbital or analogue science for the Rosalind Franklin Mission (RFM) | Rosalind Franklin Mission (RFM) |
| Mars science | Applying machine-learning to the analyses of Mars analogue or extraterrestrial materials with a focus on X-ray computed tomography and/or life detection data reduction | Mars Sample Return (MSR) |
| In Situ Resource Utilisation | Molten salt electrolysis and associated processes for reduction of lunar regolith to produce oxygen and metals. | ESA ISRU ground based research laboratories in preparation for and ISRU Pilot Plant |
| Studies and Technologies | Moon/Mars Analogues Development and Solar System Analogues Studies: Sample Preparation, Curation & Characterisation | VULCAN (Top Priority) |
| Shielding & Protection from Radiations (primarily artificial & natural) for Systems and Crews | Moon & Mars (Top Priority) | |
| Lunar Surface Construction Techniques Assessment and Demonstration for LUNA External Elements | LUNA (Second Priority) | |
| European Analogues Landscape: Key Concepts Definition and Standardisation, Preparation for Returned Samples: Extraterrestrial Sample Curation & Characterisation | VULCAN (Tertiary Priority) | |
| Scientific Surface Activities Preparation, Tools and Concepts of Operations in the LUNA Facility, Lunar Navigation and Communications Simulation in LUNA | LUNA (Tertiary Priority) | |
| Generating Synthetic Data for AI Training using VR | Spaceships (Tertiary Priority) |
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD.
Additional requirements
As part of the application process, four separate documents will need to be uploaded:
- A motivation letter;
- Your CV
- A list of publications, which must be separate from your CV. For publications that are not first-authored, please indicate your individual contribution;
- A research proposal (four pages maximum, including any figures or tables, with a minimum font size of 11pt). The proposal should include sections outlining (1) the research rationale, (2) impact and past achievements, (3) research plans for the fellowship, with a rough timeline, and (4) synergies with mission-related activities and scientists at ESA.
Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship and Call for postdoc Research Fellow will be open soon - SciSpacE (esa.int)
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.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship
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.
In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please add your proposal of no more than 5 pages outlining your proposed research in the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.
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.
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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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.