Young Graduate Trainee for Contamination Effects Analysis

The Materials Physics & Chemistry Section operates state-of-the-art space simulation facilities (vacuum, temperature, EM and particle radiation) as well as instruments to characterise physical and chemical properties within the materials and EEE components laboratory. It provides quality and engineering support to all ESA projects and development programmes in the areas of materials physics and chemistry, associated processes and environmental effects.

What we do:

• physical analysis and characterisation of materials including phase transitions, thermo-mechanical analysis, thermo-optical analysis, thermal analysis, surface analyses such as electron-based imaging techniques (SEM/EDX/WDX), X-ray techniques such as X-ray tomography and other non-destructive evaluation techniques;
• chemical analysis and characterisation of materials (all types of spectroscopy such as UV-VIS-NIR, GCMS, NMR, FTIR, Raman, thermal analysis, surface analysis such as XPS, EDX,WDX, contact angle);
• cleanliness and contamination control, including lab work focused on contamination monitoring, materials outgassing characterisation, surface analysis and evaluation of contamination impacts on performance;
• environmental evaluation (ground/space effects) including lab testing work and support for nonconformance reviews, requests for approval; includes evaluation of degradation effects due to long-term storage, entry/re-entry assessment of physical/chemical processes and other processes;
• performance prediction and verification (incl. in-orbit & post-flight analysis) of materials and associated processes.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

The loss of performance due to contamination is a widespread phenomenon frequently identified over the years on various space missions. While the consequences may be minor (slight throughput loss), they may also extend to complete mission failure due to the affected sub-systems incapacity to comply with requirements (thermal, optical, even scientific). The field of Contamination & Cleanliness Control progressively faces more stringent requirements as future missions demand better efficiency, lower acceptable losses and simultaneously challenge the limits of technology while subjecting materials and components to much harsher conditions than ever before.  Analyses that are more precise and tailored to specific objectives must therefore be performed on the ground, to ensure success and quality throughout the lifetime of any mission. Of particular interest for the activity is the outgassing behavior (gaseous release from solids when exposed to a vacuum) of different compounds, capable of producing molecular contamination on sensitive surfaces and affecting the performance of the collecting surface. Actual effects may be unwanted absorption of light, enhancement of stray-light, change of thermo-optical balance, amongst many others.

The main goal here is to improve ground testing techniques and characterisation capabilities with respect to molecular contamination and related performance loss of optical surfaces. Different state-of-the-art and unique vacuum testing facilities will be at your disposal as YGT throughout the internship. With these, you will recreate the space environment, replicating on the ground the conditions experienced by spacecraft materials (vacuum, temperature, UV irradiation).

Your expected contributions as a YGT are:

• contributing to development of testing capabilities by e.g. designing new optical test set-ups  to incorporate in vacuum chambers;
• characterising and quantifying molecular contamination levels using different techniques such as Fourier Transformed Infra-red Spectroscopy, Quartz Crystal Microbalances, absorption coefficient of known species, confocal microscopy, and cross-correlate information from each of them;
• designing and executing hands-on experiments, taking advantage of existing vacuum test chambers and support instruments/equipment (microscopes, spectrometers);
• analysing test data with currently available tools and contributing to development of new models/characterisation techniques (of particular interest is characterisation of molecular contamination depositing in droplets vs thin films);
• modelling contamination optical properties;
• using models to predict the effects of molecular contamination on different sensitive surfaces;
• writing test procedures and reports to document activities throughout the Traineeship.

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.

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.