Project Scientist

Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics.

The Office of Science Engagement and Oversight oversees the scientific content of the Science programme and provides scientific expertise to Science missions across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders are informed, engaged and inspired.

This position is for a Project Scientist with an initial assignment to ARRAKIHS, the next F-class mission in the ESA Science Programme. ARRAKIHS will capture the faint light from the haloes of stars and gas that surround galaxies to answer questions about cosmic history. Like other fast-class missions, it is based on adapting existing technology for novel science, and Member States — particularly Spain in the case of ARRAKIHS — play a leading role in developing the mission.

Duties

In this role, you will ensure that the scientific return from the mission is maintained as a target, keeping within specified technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. In addition, you will interface and engage with the wider ESA scientific community and the public to maintain the prominence and visibility of the mission and its science.

Occasionally, you may be asked to advise ESA management on the areas of your scientific expertise and to support the future activities of the Science Programme, for example by conducting studies/assessments of future missions or participating in reviews.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• optimising the scientific return from a mission throughout all phases (study, development, operations and archiving), while adhering to technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints;
• coordinating the definition of the mission’s science requirements with the corresponding Science Team, and monitoring their implementation during all phases of the mission;
• acting as the interface for all scientific matters between internal study, development and operations teams on one hand, and external scientific teams, partners and the community on the other;
• reporting on the progress of the mission’s science efforts and achievements to ESA management and, as requested, to the Advisory Structure;
• promoting the mission to the wider scientific community via conferences and electronic media, as well as supporting broader Directorate and Agency communication, outreach and education activities when needed.

Project Scientists are expected to actively pursue personal scientific research and participate in the Science Faculty.

Technical competencies

• Active researcher in a relevant field of space science
• Knowledge of the latest developments in research and facilities in the relevant field
• Knowledge and experience in scientific space missions and payloads
• Experience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at international level
• Experience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A PhD in astronomy, physics, astrophysics or a related field is required for this post along with relevant professional experience acquired during the PhD studies.

Additional requirements

Desirable assets include a good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context and experience in any of the following:

• large-scale astronomical surveys;
• management of scientific teams;
• coordinating the scientific community.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is 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 and 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.