Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified F1.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 

Our team and mission

The Earth and Mission Science Division, in the Science Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.

The Earth and Mission Science Division team:

  • Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept.
  • Manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, and supports the successful development of space and ground segments, in-orbit commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements.
  • Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing to the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.

You will work in the Earth and Mission Science Division’s Campaigns Section, whose role is to provide support throughout the preparation and development of new future Earth observation missions, and to validate the data being delivered by the satellites already in orbit. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse, international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth science disciplines in support of Earth Explorer, Copernicus Sentinels, Earth Watch and other EO missions.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The traineeship will contribute to the Arctic Methane and Permafrost Challenge (AMPAC). AMPAC addresses polar regions which are experiencing the most rapid rates of warming in recent years, resulting in drastic changes to the polar environment (e.g., melting of ice sheets, reduction of the Arctic sea ice cover, melting of permafrost, etc.). 

Earth observation plays a key role in monitoring the Arctic.  Nevertheless, there are still major gaps in EO capabilities required to answer some of the most pressing questions.  For instance, what are the current methane emissions in the Arctic and where are the major sources and sinks located? Why do we see rapid changes in permafrost which are not matched by the expected in methane emissions? 

Addressing those questions represents a major scientific and technical challenge that will require a significant collaborative effort and an integrated approach to science where the synergistic use of EO satellite data, in-situ, advanced modelling capabilities, interdisciplinary research and new technologies will be essential elements. A major airborne and ground measurement campaign called MAGIC4AMPAC was conducted in Sweden in August and September 2021 to collect data to support research into novel EO techniques.

You will conduct a one-year project focusing on the combination of the different data sources, including data collected during the MAGIC4AMPAC campaign. The goal is to evaluate ground-based, airborne and spaceborne data, support the definition of new EO information products and contribute to the ESA-NASA AMPAC initiative.

You will:

  • Perform exploratory work on the information content of the MAGIC4AMPAC airborne and spaceborne campaign data
  • Correlate observed remote sensing features with in-situ measurements of parameters such as methane concentrations, temperature , land cover and others
  • Contribute to ongoing or planned ESA-NASA AMPAC activities, such as the development and validation of new retrieval algorithms for high-latitude retrievals of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations
  • Participate in and present results at AMPAC meetings.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical domains
Relevant experience gained during internships/project work
Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in your final year of, a university course at master’s level (or equivalent) in a relevant technical or scientific discipline.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

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.

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

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, as  Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Cyprus and Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented or balanced Member States*. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.