Our team and mission

The Thermal Division is the Agency’s centre of competence in all areas related to thermal engineering, covering development (R&D), design and verification. Within this framework, the Thermal Control Section is in charge of providing support to projects on all thermal control aspects and the development of thermal hardware technologies, while the Thermal Analysis and Verification Section is the focal point for analysis methodologies, software tools and experimental/test services executed in the Mechanical Systems Laboratory.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Thermal_Control

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will, as a Young Graduate Trainee in the Thermal Analysis and Verification Section, Thermal Division, contribute to the following activities:

1.    Thermal design and analysis: Perform thermal design and associated analysis, including steady state/transient analyses of instruments and satellites, following familiarisation with project requirements and the Agency’s tools (ESATAN-TMS). This may also include in-flight correlation of thermal analysis models for ESA projects.

2.    Thermal analysis methods: Research and development in the area of computational methods for space thermal analysis or multidisciplinary analysis, e.g.:

a.    methods and tools for exchange of thermal analysis data with other disciplines such as structures (e.g. development of SINAS);
b.    co-simulation of thermal analysis models with other domains such as power or fluidics;
c.    next-generation methods for radiative, fluidic or thermal analysis;
d.    methods for improved tool-to-tool data exchange within the thermal domain (development of STEP-TAS).

3.    Analysis methods in support of testing activities: Real-time model correlation or identification of discrepancies between model and test data, analysis methods for new test instrumentation such as infra-red cameras, data fusion of thermal analysis and test data, and modelling of gas convection for cleanroom testing.

4.    Mechanical Systems Laboratory: Participation in the testing activities of the laboratory, including evaluation of test data, and the development and acceptance of new test facilities, e.g. thermal cycling, coefficient of thermal expansion.
 

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in a technical or scientific discipline. Specific  required knowledge and relevant areas of interest vary depending on the field of activity selected:

1.    A university degree or equivalent in physics or thermal/mechanical engineering, with basic knowledge of thermodynamics, radiative and conductive heat transfer, cryogenics, fluid/thermal simulations and computer systems.
2.    and 3. Thermal/mechanical engineering with basic knowledge of thermal analysis, numerical methods and software engineering.
4. Experimental physics/instrumentation/measurement or mechanical engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural 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, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.