Earth Observation Campaign Scientist

Description

Scientist in the Campaigns Section of the Earth and Mission Science Division, Science, Applications and Climate Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Duties

You will report to the Head of the Campaigns Section in the Earth and Mission Science Division of the Science, Applications and Climate Department and your main tasks and responsibilities will be:

• Defining and implementing activities for the updated ESA Earth Observation science strategy coordinated by the Earth and Mission Science Division, and further developing and monitoring EO science under the Future Earth Observation Programme;
• Collecting requirements for Earth observation campaigns to support the maturation of mission science objectives, mission concepts in preparation, missions in development, and missions in operation;
• Translating campaign requirements into the definition of fit-for-purpose airborne or ground-based campaign activities to be implemented through ESA contracts;
• Implementing campaigns to support algorithm development, definition of science and engineering products and associated performance requirements, development and improvement of geophysical retrieval algorithms, end-to-end simulation of mission performance, in-orbit verification and validation of mission science products;
• Field-coordinating campaign activities and coordinating data dissemination and data analysis from all activities, and facilitating the successful uptake of the results into EO mission design, development, exploitation and service development as well as stimulating campaign data use in new EO domains (e.g. big data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning);
• Providing expertise and scientific support to prepare new mission ideas and concepts, development activities of approved missions, in-orbit commissioning phase calibration/validation, or operations phase, to ensure their payload and the end-to-end system fulfil the relevant mission requirements;
• Initiating and conducting in-house and external scientific studies; organising mission-specific science workshops/conferences, and supporting geophysical algorithm development and related research;
• Communicating research results in connection with ESA’s Earth observation missions, and serving in role of ESA ambassador at relevant events, such as scientific conferences and user consultations;
• Preparing and managing external scientific study and/or campaign contracts and related KPI and quarterly reporting.

In performing these tasks, you will be expected to work closely with the Future Systems, Projects, and Mission Management and Ground Segment Departments.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A PhD in a relevant science and/or engineering field, with the focus on Earth observation, Earth sciences and the use of remote sensing for science and applications.

Additional requirements

You must have experience in Earth observation based research and in a relevant remote sensing based Earth science domain, as well as experience in airborne or ground measurement campaigns, or in fieldwork to support remote sensing. Experience in areas such as geophysical retrieval algorithms, EO data quality and payloads are considered an asset.
You must be familiar with current and future planned satellite missions, including active/passive instrumentation and plans within ESA and the relevant Earth observation programmes. Particular importance will be attached to your ability to work closely with international experts, relevant scientific organisations and bodies and to function in a team environment, as well as to your familiarity with the programmatic outlook in the ESA Earth Explorer, Earth Watch and Copernicus domains. In addition to a PhD, you should demonstrate at least three years’ experience in EO satellite remote sensing based Earth sciences.