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 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:

• 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 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.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will join 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.

Satellite gravimetry is an essential observing technique from space that contributes to the understanding of Earth’s climate processes by monitoring Earth’s water cycle, sea level rise, ice sheet change and energy imbalance, among others. Past and current satellite gravity missions have provided a 20-year programme of record for temporal variations of Earth’s gravity field directly related to Earth’s mass transport processes. ESA and NASA are currently jointly planning the next-generation mass change missions that will provide enhanced products in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, as well as accuracy, and will open doors to novel operational application and services.

The traineeship will focus on exploring the potential of new products derived from next-generation gravimetry missions. These enhanced products are expected to integrate in operational services such as Copernicus that support, for example, sustainable water management and early warning services for flooding, drought events and geohazards.

During this traineeship, you will work on the following research topics:

• Gathering information on data assimilation techniques of current and past satellite gravity missions (e.g. GRACE, GRACE-FO) and determining the limitations of their resolution and uncertainty in existing applications (e.g. GRACE assimilated drought indicators, Global Gravity-based Groundwater Product-G3P).
• Investigating the potential impact of future enhanced products from next-generation gravity missions, leading to improved mission definition and requirements.
• In the framework of Copernicus, exploring potential new applications that can benefit from the output of next-generation gravity missions, leading to new product requirements.
• Contributing to ongoing and planned ESA/NASA activities in respect of next-generation gravity missions and their impact on science and applications.

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 a master’s degree in geodesy, hydrogeodesy, natural hazards management or a related geoscientific discipline.                                                                                                                                                                      

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.