Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STScI

 

Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or STScI, Baltimore, USA.

The opportunity

ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications, or space technology. ESA Fellowships provide a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of space science, and experience first-hand how ESA works with communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from our missions.

Our team and mission

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and fundamental physics. Within ESA’s Directorate of Science, the Science Engagement and Oversight Office (SCI-E) and the Department for Science and Operations (SCI-S) host the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations; they develop the science operation systems for the missions and conduct the mission science operations in flight; they archive and curate the mission data during operations and beyond. The main objective is to maximise the scientific return of the missions for the benefit of humankind. The Science Engagement and Oversight Office and the Science and Operations Department also support research activities, which are coordinated by the ESA Science Faculty. Research Fellows are encouraged to take leading roles in Faculty research programmes and initiatives, in close collaboration with scientific staff. The Research Fellowship programme nurtures and strengthens the links between ESA and the scientific communities in the Member States.

Research Fellows spend their time on their independent scientific research and can choose to spend up to 20% of the time on scientific activities in support of ESA science-related activities.

Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the ESA website (http://sci.esa.int) for an overview of ESA’s Science Programme

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

We are welcoming all proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions (linked from the web site above). For an overview of the on-going space science research activities at the different sites, and more details about the fellowships, please visit our website:  https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships

Interested candidates should consult these pages to identify which of the establishments offers the most relevant environment for their research. Candidates are welcome and encouraged to contact any of the scientists working in areas of their interest.

Technical competencies

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activitiesKnowledge relevant to the field of researchResearch/publication recordAbility to conduct research autonomouslyAbility to gather and share relevant informationGeneral interest in space and space research

Behavioural competencies

 

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

You must have completed and obtained your PhD before starting the Research Fellowship. Applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD are preferred.

Additional requirements

• Cross-cultural sensitivity.
• 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.     

Specificities

• Fellows are members of the ESA Science Faculty, which supports a wide range of research and scientific activities. Fellows are important contributors to these initiatives. More information can be found at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships
• Research Fellows have no teaching obligations but do have various opportunities to supervise undergraduate or masters-level student trainees. 

The review committee wil