ESA Graduate Trainee in Remote Sensing Earth Observation Mission Concept Development

The ESA Graduate Trainee in Remote Sensing Earth Observation Mission Concept Development traineeship is located at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Type of appointment: ESA Graduate Trainee.

Grade band: F1 - F1.

Our team and mission

As part of the 12th cycle of ESA’s Earth Explorer programme (EE12), the candidate mission “Keystone” will undergo a Phase A study. Keystone would provide the first direct observations of atomic oxygen in the mesosphere-thermosphere system, using a unique combination of limb-sounding techniques to cover altitudes from 50 to 250km. These observations, together with measurements of composition, temperature and winds, would enable scientists to study the processes that drive variability and energy balance in this region of the atmosphere, including the effects of solar cycles and space weather. Three EE12 candidate missions are currently under consideration; following completion of their respective Phase A studies, one will be selected for implementation.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will join the Keystone mission team, supporting the mission’s scientific definition and performance evaluation to help maximise its scientific output and contribute to the feasibility assessment and final mission selection process, scheduled for summer 2028. You will work on the theoretical assessment and testing of the mission’s performance, including simulating the signals observed by the spacecraft, generating instrument data streams and processing them into scientific products for distribution to users. You may also compare these data with similar outputs from other simulators or experimental airborne campaigns. You will produce and analyse output that contributes to the preparation of the Report for Mission Selection.

You may also support other mission science and promotion activities, including engagement with the scientific community and the mission team, the preparation of workshops and meetings, and mission communication, visualisation and public outreach. You will gain insight into the competitive process through which ESA Earth observation research mission concepts are defined and matured before selection for mission implementation. You will also learn about the technical and scientific approaches used to assess mission performance and feasibility.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical and functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes and projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have recently completed or be in the final year of a master’s degree in physics, geophysics or geoscience.

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.
• Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in using Python is an asset.
• Successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Applications can only be considered from nationals of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.