Listen to the full Impactpool podcast episode with Fiona Brazil to learn more about career opportunities at the European Southern Observatory.
Beyond Astronomy: A Universe of Career Paths
When people think about the European Southern Observatory (ESO), astronomy naturally comes to mind. But building and operating some of the world’s most advanced telescopes requires a much broader range of expertise.
As Fiona Brazil, Head of HR at ESO, explains, the organization employs electronics, mechanical, software, control and optical engineers, as well as IT specialists — alongside many other professionals.
With ESO developing the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), a 39-metre-class telescope expected to begin operations later this decade, the need for diverse expertise continues to grow.
Career opportunities extend across areas including:
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Safety and construction
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Cybersecurity and IT
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Project and programme management
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Engineering and technical roles
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Science communication
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Instrumentation and operations
The message is clear: you do not have to be an astronomer to help explore the universe.
Working in the Atacama Desert
For some ESO employees, the workplace is as extraordinary as the work itself.
The organization operates observatories in Chile’s Atacama Desert, including sites at Paranal and La Silla. Staff working at the observatories can experience remote working environments unlike almost anywhere else in the world.
For international employees, ESO also provides support around relocation and settling into life in Chile.
It is an unusual combination: highly advanced scientific infrastructure, an international workforce, and one of the world’s most remarkable natural environments.
Breaking the STEM Gender Barrier
ESO is also working to build a more diverse workforce, including encouraging more women to pursue engineering and technical careers.
Brazil highlights a common misconception: that women entering traditionally male-dominated scientific and engineering environments will find themselves isolated.
Her message is straightforward: do not rule yourself out before you apply.
Transferable skills, different perspectives, and diverse professional experiences can all add value — particularly in organizations tackling complex challenges that require collaboration across disciplines.
A Different Kind of Engineering Career
Engineering at ESO is not necessarily about delivering the fastest or cheapest solution.
The organization works on highly complex projects that can take decades to develop. Engineers may work on prototypes and technologies that have never been built before, collaborating with scientists and international partners to solve problems without established answers.
That creates a very different professional environment — one where creativity, patience, collaboration, and technical expertise all matter. For engineers who want to work on problems at the frontier of what is possible, that can be a powerful career proposition.
A Values-Driven Culture
Technical expertise is only part of what ESO looks for.
The organization emphasises values such as respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear communication.
It also promotes continuous learning, including opportunities for employees outside astronomy to build their understanding of the science behind ESO’s work.
That creates an environment where professionals can contribute to a shared mission even when their own expertise lies far outside astronomy.
How Can You Get Started?
There are several potential entry points into an organization like ESO, particularly for people at different stages of their careers.
These include:
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Internships and fellowships
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Studentships
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Technical and engineering positions
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Science communication roles
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Professional and support functions
Brazil emphasizes the importance of understanding the organization and tailoring your application accordingly. Do your research. Understand the role. Show why your experience is relevant. And make your motivation clear.
A concise, focused cover letter can help connect your experience to what the organization actually needs.
An International Opportunity
ESO is an international organization with a workforce drawn from different countries and professional backgrounds. For professionals interested in international careers, that creates another important opportunity: your career does not have to follow a conventional path to contribute to global scientific progress.
The Bigger Picture
Perhaps the most compelling part of working at ESO is the mission's scale. Employees are contributing to projects designed to expand humanity’s understanding of the universe — work that could shape scientific knowledge for generations.
You may be an engineer, project manager, technician, IT specialist, communicator or scientist. The common thread is the opportunity to contribute to something much bigger than your individual role.
You don't need to study the stars to help humanity reach further into them.
Ready to reach for the stars? ESO is actively recruiting across multiple disciplines. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, there may be an opportunity waiting for you in one of the world's most inspiring scientific organizations.
Visit ESO's organization page to explore current openings and register for ESO's talent pool to stay updated on current and future vacancies. By registering to their pool, their recruiters will be able to view your profile and engage you for opportunities that match your skills and interests.