Project Scientist in Astronomy & Research Fellows Coordinator

Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to ”empower Europe to lead space science”.

The Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific content of the Science Programme and provides scientific expertise to Science missions, across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages scientific research and scientific community engagement activities, as well as the communication and education efforts for the ESA Directorate of Science.

A number of ESA’s astrophysics missions regularly invite observing proposals through regular Calls for Guest Observer proposals, which are assessed by means of peer review. In this role, you will update ESA Science policies, overseeing proposal submission and peer review to ensure a rigorous, transparent, fair and consistent approach across missions, implementing best practice. You will be responsible for an annual peer review in a mission relating to your area of expertise. 

For up to 50% of your time, you will also be responsible for strengthening the Space Science Research Fellowship Programme, which offers talented early career scientists the opportunity to build and strengthen their own independent research portfolios in the context of ESA Science missions and the Science Programme. 

This role is particularly well suited to a scientist with a good understanding of and experience in inclusive practices in astronomy and astrophysics communities (and beyond) and an interest in the evolution of these practices to ensure ESA Science missions remain at the forefront of best practice, in particular regarding open science.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

for Guest Observer (GO) programmes and peer review:

• identifying best practice in telescope time allocation and peer review processes in the scientific communities and supporting the Head of Office in implementing these across ESA astrophysics missions with GO calls;
• running the annual Guest Observer call and peer review for an astrophysics mission, working closely with the corresponding lead project scientist(s) for that mission;
• defining and initiating the collection of performance metrics associated with all Guest Observer programmes.

as Space Science Research Fellowship Programme Coordinator:

• coordinating the annual recruitment campaign for the Space Science Research Fellowship Programme;
• managing and connecting with the research fellows,  ensuring they can effectively implement their research plans;
• facilitating the professional development of research fellows by ensuring they are informed about the full range of unique opportunities that ESA and the Directorate of Science offer and have effective mentorship;
• working closely with the Head of Office to identify new ways to enhance the Space Science Research Fellowship Programme.

As a Project Scientist and a member of the Science Faculty, you are expected to pursue personal scientific research activities and work towards invigorating the Directorate’s research environment. 

Depending on the needs of the Directorate of Science, you may be reassigned in the future to project scientist duties for missions in study, development or operations. In such a position, you would be responsible for ensuring that the maximum scientific return from a mission is maintained as an objective within technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. 

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

A PhD in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Familiarity and/or expertise with the best practice and methods for promoting inclusion and accessibility in astronomy, especially for early-career scientists.
Experience in high-energy astrophysics research is desirable but not essential.