Our team and mission

The Enterprise Section in the EO Science, Applications and Climate Department is responsible for:

• stimulating new industrial capabilities for Earth Observation (EO) applications and services, including new datasets, new processing methods (algorithms, AI-based methods, etc.) and exploitation of new technologies (e.g. fast database structures, IoT sensor networks, etc.);
• leveraging opportunities to embed EO-based information applications and services within new industrial market sectors;
• testing and verifying new methods for providing EO-based services (e.g. using platform-based environments within multi-sided market structures;
• addressing structural impediments constraining operational use of EO-based information services (e.g. specification of engineering best practices in target markets).  

The team works primarily with innovative startups and SMEs, as well as the EO exploitation teams within large system companies, geospatial information teams within operational private and public sector entities, and combinations of research and private sector operators at the forefront of new processing and analysis methodologies

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Young Graduate Trainee, your primary focus will be on investigating new processing methods for satellite data streams of primary interest to industrial users (e.g. infrastructure operators, mining and extractive operators, energy operators, commercial risk management companies, etc.) or institutional stakeholders with an operational mandate (e.g. maritime security, transport operations management, etc.). You will be responsible for customising, testing and verifying an agreed portfolio of these new processing methods and investigating the utility of the information being generated.

The new processing methods should generate novel information layers for well-defined application domains. The results may also be integrated into portals targeting user communities with which the team is already working (e.g. the RACE Dashboard or national portals addressing sectors such as sustainable energy, transport, construction, etc.).

The work is expected to be based primarily on satellite imaging systems such as multispectral (optical, near-infrared and short-wave infrared instruments), synthetic aperture radar (including X-, C-, S-, L- and P-band), mid- and thermal infrared imaging systems, and hyperspectral imagers covering optical, near-infrared and short-wave infrared, etc. Satellite-based video data (optical, infrared and radar) are also of interest. Additional datasets of relevance include satellite-based relay of IoT sensor network data, AIS and other transponder data and passive radio frequency signal detection (UHF to X-band). 

New processing methods may include:

• the generation of new or enhanced information layers (e.g. inverse SAR, SAR MicroDoppler, multifrequency SAR interferometry, movement characterisation based on optical parallax, super-resolution image enhancement, etc.); 
• testing and verifying new methods to exploit large datasets (e.g. long time series, wide-area image collections, etc.);
• enhanced feature/process detection, identification and characterisation (e.g. using deep learning methods) for application domains such as maritime surveillance, natural resource management, risk and hazard management, energy and transport system monitoring and management, urban development, etc.;
• investigating new methods to fuse satellite and non-satellite datasets to generate novel information layers (e.g. mobile network data, IoT sensor networks, socioeconomic data, etc.).

You will be encouraged to propose specific novel processing methods for testing and verification.

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 data science, geophysics, geography, physics, engineering, computer science or mathematics.

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.