Lunar Scientist

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working — or will live and work in the future — for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

As Lunar Scientist, you will coordinate and implement a portfolio of lunar science activities within D/HRE and will report directly to the Lunar Science Office Team Lead. You will work within the Lunar Science Office Team, and will also work closely with other teams, most particularly the other science teams within the Exploration Science Office, the Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology Team (ExPeRT) and the Small Lunar Projects Team for the preparation and implementation of studies, developments and operations. You will provide expert support on lunar science topics to strategy, studies and projects across the wider HRE programme and oversee and participate in internal research activities.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the identification of scientific priorities and the definition of science objectives, investigation approaches and instrumentation needs for the creation of new activities.
• Preparing and running end-to-end announcement of opportunity selection processes.
• Leading and supporting the definition of scientific requirements, including the definition of science performance needs for instruments and overall lunar payload and mission systems during the study phase.
• Providing support for the definition, selection and technical feasibility assessment of potential new lunar payloads and missions.
• Tracking the overall expected science performance of lunar activities in development, assuring that systems and their operational set-ups are able to deliver the required scientific performance.
• Supporting overall mission definition and development throughout the mission lifetime, especially by providing inputs to instrument definition and performance, and guidance and performance analysis for instrument development.
• Establishing science operations approaches and data pipelines for the production of lunar scientific data products.
• Overseeing and driving lunar science operations activities during operations.
• Ensuring the delivery of lunar scientific data products, including both calibrated data and derived data products, to ESA data archives.
• Creating, overseeing and leading lunar scientific teams supporting all project phases, including the preparation and implementation of science management plans.
• Engaging with the scientific community in Europe, and outside Europe where relevant, to ensure the scientific excellence and relevance of new activities, scientific community engagement across all project phases, the use of scientific data and the recording of scientific outcomes.
• Representing ESA in scientific interactions with other agencies and organisations, including international partners, academia and industry, as required.
• Providing lunar science expert support to activities across HRE and other ESA programmes where relevant.
• Overseeing research undertaken by internal ESA research fellows and performing personal research activities.
• Overseeing research and study activities performed by external entities under ESA contract and acting as Technical Officer for externally contracted science activities.
• Supporting line management in identifying areas of improvement, suggesting ways forward and potential changes.
• Providing support for other Lunar Science Team and general Exploration Science activities, as required.
• Supporting ESA outreach, communication and education activities.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge relevant to the field of research
• Ability to conduct research autonomously
• Experience with the publication of scientific research
• Understanding of the current state of scientific knowledge in the field and an awareness of priorities for future research
• Knowledge of the activities, programmes and goals of the European Space Agency
• Experience in the organisation of international scientific activities
• Experience in science management at the academic, industrial or governmental level

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education and professional experience

A PhD in a relevant domain is required for this post together with four years of relevant professional experience.

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.