Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) - for In Space Construction and Space Resources

Our team and mission

The European Astronaut Centre's tasks are centered around the “human” component of human spaceflight: astronaut selection, training, medical support and surveillance, as well as support of astronauts and their families during preparation for and during while on space missions to the International Space Station (ISS). 

In order to make the operational experience of EAC available also to other ESA activities, in particular for the preparation of human exploration, EAC has created the Spaceship EAC initiative, to foster innovation and low technology readiness (TRL) concepts and technologies. Within this initiative, the topics around utilizing Space Resources have been broadly engaged with, supporting the ongoing activities of ESA around ISRU (in-situ resource utilization) and sustainable exploration. At EAC, the lunar analogue facility known as LUNA is also planned to be realized – this will be a world leading location for analogue training activities and can be utilized for ISRU demonstrations as well. It is envisioned that this position will support the LUNA facility team in developing LUNA for Space Resource related activities.

This position is made available by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as part of the ESA-ASI integrated team.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will join the Spaceship EAC team, which is part of the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology (ExPeRT) team of ESA. The Spaceship EAC team is composed of Research Fellows, Young Graduate Trainees and university interns performing their final year projects within the fields of research and development indicated below. You will mentor some university students and assure an appropriate level of research to be compliant with their university requirements. 

The proposed topic shall be in the area of ISRU construction – specifically research into realizing demonstrable mission concepts and technologies and demonstrating them, if appropriate, at the LUNA facility. This includes topics relating to resource extraction and collection, construction and  the mission concepts around such systems. A strong focus is expected on the research activity to be of an innovative nature. Importantly, the Spaceship EAC initiative approaches ISRU activities with a practical brainstorming philosophy – demonstrable, empirically driven research should be the focus.

You will also be working on the following activities:

• Performing applied research in the area of ISRU construction and related Space Resource fields;
• Assuring that the research is coordinated and aligned with 
  • The ESA Exploration Strategy, Space Resources Strategy and the objectives of the Directorate
  • Currently discussed lunar exploration scenarios and related logistical constraints;
  • Relevant on-going R&D activities at ESA or funded by ESA;
• Liaising closely with other ESA teams active in the area of radiation studies relevant to human spaceflight and exploration, in particular ExPeRT and teams within our Technology Directorate;
• Supporting the development of the Spaceship initiatives and related EAC and ExPeRT activities;
• Helping to identify partners in ESA, industry and academia that are willing to engage with this topic of research and planned activities at LUNA;
• Being actively engaged with academic scholarship, with a view to disseminate their research outputs to the larger exploration community.
   

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 materials science, metallurgy, engineering, robotics or a related field that is relevant for the above fields of activity. Preference will  be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. 

You must have research experience in the proposed area of this position (ISRU), or be able to indicate parallels between past experience and your proposed ISRU research topic.

Additional requirements

You are required have strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills and must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment and in an autonomous manner. 

You should be proficient in the use of MS Office packages and have experience in working with research-relevant software tools.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of English is required for this post. As the position is sponsored by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Italian language knowledge at B1 level of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages (CERF) is required.  Knowledge of other member state languages is considered an asset.