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Young Graduate Traineeship Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. Applications from women are encouraged.
Post
Young Graduate Trainee for Contamination Effects Analysis
This post is classified F1.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Materials Physics & Chemistry Section operates state-of-the-art space simulation facilities (vacuum, temperature, EM and particle radiation) as well as instruments to characterise physical and chemical properties within the materials and EEE components laboratory. It provides quality and engineering support to all ESA projects and development programmes in the areas of materials physics and chemistry, associated processes and environmental effects.
What we do:
Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity
The loss of performance due to contamination is a widespread phenomenon frequently identified over the years on various space missions. While the consequences may be minor (slight throughput loss), they may also extend to complete mission failure due to the affected sub-systems incapacity to comply with requirements (thermal, optical, even scientific). The field of Contamination & Cleanliness Control progressively faces more stringent requirements as future missions demand better efficiency, lower acceptable losses and simultaneously challenge the limits of technology while subjecting materials and components to much harsher conditions than ever before. Analyses that are more precise and tailored to specific objectives must therefore be performed on the ground, to ensure success and quality throughout the lifetime of any mission. Of particular interest for the activity is the outgassing behavior (gaseous release from solids when exposed to a vacuum) of different compounds, capable of producing molecular contamination on sensitive surfaces and affecting the performance of the collecting surface. Actual effects may be unwanted absorption of light, enhancement of stray-light, change of thermo-optical balance, amongst many others.
The main goal here is to improve ground testing techniques and characterisation capabilities with respect to molecular contamination and related performance loss of optical surfaces. Different state-of-the-art and unique vacuum testing facilities will be at your disposal as YGT throughout the internship. With these, you will recreate the space environment, replicating on the ground the conditions experienced by spacecraft materials (vacuum, temperature, UV irradiation).
Your expected contributions as a YGT are:
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical domains
Relevant experience gained during internships/project work
Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
Behavioural competencies
Self Motivation
Communication
Continuous Learning
Cross-Cultural Sensitivity
Teamwork
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of a university course at Master's level (or equivalent) in a technical or scientific discipline.
Additional requirements
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.
You should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and the capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
During the interview your motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
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