Young Graduate Trainee for School Didactics in Environmental Sciences and Earth Observation

In general, the ESA Education Office aims to use space as a theme to enhance the literacy and competence levels of young Europeans (from primary school to PhD level) in science and technology and inspire them to pursue STEM careers, related to space in particular.

The STEM Education & Outreach Unit of the Office targets primary and secondary school teachers and students (in formal education) through several activities aimed at supporting the teaching and learning of curricular STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. Such activities include: teacher-training, classroom resources and hands-on school projects – all using space as an inspiring and interdisciplinary overarching theme.

This Unit also runs several activities related to informal education and outreach.

In parallel, the Tertiary Education Unit of the Office targets university students. Through its ESA Academy programme, it offers a number of opportunities for students to: a) gain practical experience of real-life space projects b) benefit from a vast portfolio of training courses in all the space-related disciplines, supplementing their academic education. Through the Academy, the students access the know-how and expertise of space professionals, while getting exceptional access to operational space facilities.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: www.esa.int/ESA and the ESA Education web pages: www.esa.int/education

As a YGT, you will operate within the scope of the STEM Education & Outreach Unit of the ESA Education Office (see above).

ESA space programmes produce a wealth of knowledge, data and expertise which hold enormous potential for enhancing the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics in Europe's primary and secondary schools.

You will contribute to the Unit’s teaching activities, in particular those related to Environmental Sciences and Earth Observation from Space, by:

•     supporting the development and production of space-related teaching and learning resources (teacher guides, lesson modules, experiment protocols and kits, accompanying multimedia), with a focus on school curricular life sciences, chemistry, physics, geography; identifying existing resources that can be translated and/or adapted;
•     supporting  the organisation and delivery of European-level school projects/challenges: organising project campaigns;  maintaining cooperation with national coordinators and following up specific actions;  maintaining information and resources to be uploaded on corresponding web platforms, managing the official related mailbox; providing scientific/ engineering/educational input in the production and/or updating of project-related teaching materials and student kits, supporting their promotion/distribution; supporting the preparation and organisation of new European projects in collaboration with national partners;
•      supporting maintenance of ESA classroom resources archive/inventory;
•      supporting maintenance of the European curricular map;
•      contributing to promotion of resources, for example by writing articles, etc.
•      supporting the organisation and delivery of ESA education events (teacher-training workshops, conferences, in-flight calls with the ISS);
•      interacting with ESA space experts for scientific validation purposes and to identify content, opportunities and themes relevant to a school education context;
•      facilitating direct interaction between space professionals and schools, teachers or pupils, as required.

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in a technical or scientific discipline.  University background in environmental and/or earth sciences is an asset. Additional studies and/or experience in formal STEM school pedagogy, didactics and teaching are an asset.

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.

You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.

During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.