Junior Professional in Earth Observation (EO) Atmospheric Composition applications

Description

This Junior Professional Position focuses on Earth Observation Atmospheric Composition activities within the Applications Section of the Science, Applications and Climate Department. The Section develops innovative Earth Observation information products and solutions with the active involvement of key stakeholders and end-user organisations. The specific focus of this Junior Professional position is the exploitation of EO data for atmospheric composition and dynamics studies related to high-priority topics raised by the international environment policy agenda, with a distinct connection to the European Union Green Deal.

Duties

You will gradually assume technical and managerial responsibilities over projects that support the development of innovative Atmospheric Composition applications integrating Earth Observation data. This is a unique opportunity to directly and proactively contribute to ESA projects, through an on-the-job learning approach, allowing you to enrich your skills and acquire know-how on ESA operating mechanisms.

You will be involved in projects carried out by industrial consortia that implement novel multi-source Atmospheric Composition and Dynamics information products and solutions in support of a sustainable and resilient society (e.g., impact of specific greenhouse gas emissions on society, quantification of emission indicators, characterisation of transboundary effects of emissions). You will supervise the correct development of the projects by managing the industrial consortia, reviewing technical deliverables and ensuring high-quality validated outputs that can be subsequently integrated by end-user organisations. Throughout this activity, you will have to interface with key environment and development policy stakeholders (e.g., EU and UN agencies) and with authoritative user organisations (e.g. national statistical offices, local authorities, environment agencies, universities and research labs) that are involved in these multi-disciplinary projects and that contribute to the international response to global societal challenges (e.g., captured by Sustainable Development Goals, EU Green Deal).

You will also organise themed consultation meetings to review state-of-the-art EO Atmospheric Composition applications, to collect new user needs and recommendations. This will subsequently allow you to define the future roadmap for the implementation of new projects (e.g., tackling new R&D topics and applications, involving new end-user communities, demonstrating upscaling potential) and in anticipation of upcoming atmospheric missions (e.g., EarthExplorer EarthCARE, EarthWatch ALTIUS, Scouts ESP-MACCS, Copernicus CO2M, and also NewSpace missions such as GHGSat and CarbonMapper). While developing the roadmap, you will also take into consideration other ESA complementary activities such as the Regional Initiative, the Digital Twin Earth, the Climate Change Initiative and Global Development Assistance programmes.

You will also have the goal of enhancing ESA's communication efforts promoting EO Atmospheric Composition applications results, mission achievements and EO benefits for society.

Development programme

In addition to your daily work, you will take part in an extensive learning and development programme. From day one, you will learn on the job and benefit from tailored development opportunities, including exposure to different business areas of ESA and participation in technical and key skills training courses.

On top of this, you will have additional training to build up specific skills and knowledge as well as all the support you need to pursue your career in ESA.

As part of this assignment and with a view to boost your professional experience and knowledge of ESA and the space sector, you may be offered rotational assignments outside of your organisational Section and potentially also a secondment with one of ESA's industrial or institutional partners.

Depending on your specific development needs, a few suggestions for ESA development courses are listed below:

• Project Management Principles
• Business Negotiations Strategies
• Developing Effective Statements of Work
• ESA - The Institutional Perspective
• ESA - The Procurement Perspective
• Remote Sensing Satellites Overview

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's-level degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., natural sciences/geophysics/remote sensing) in relation to Atmospheric Composition and Dynamics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should have about two to three years of professional experience in a relevant technical domain, after completion of your Master's degree.

Participation in one of ESA's entry-level programmes, i.e Young Graduate Trainee, National Trainee, or Research Fellow Programmes, will be recognised as eligible experience.

Specificities

The ESA Junior Professional Programme has a forward-looking perspective. Subject to confirmed good performance, both technically and behaviourally, it is the intention to offer you a permanent contract at the end of the three years. As such, this initiative represents a significant investment by ESA in your personal and professional development. The programme is designed to provide you with the required knowledge and skills in order to ensure an optimal match, and to allow you to fulfil your role as effectively as possible. You can expect to be given many opportunities to develop your professional experience and competencies, to learn from ESA experts and to contribute to ESA activities.

Recruitment will take place at the A1 grade. You can expect to be upgraded to A2 at the end of the fourth year, if you are offered a permanent position at the end of your Junior Professional assignment.