ESA Graduate Trainee in Performance modelling and assessment for THz radiometers

Our team and mission

The successful candidate will join the Microwave Instruments Section in the Future Missions and Instruments Division (EOP-FM).

EOP-FM’s role is to prepare the Earth observation (EO) missions and technologies of the future, encompassing a wide range of scientific missions (Earth Explorers, Missions of Opportunity), operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels together with the EU and meteorology missions together with EUMETSAT) and small satellite missions (Scouts and Phi-Sats). The work carried out is mainly related to the end-to-end definition of space missions, including system engineering, orbits and mission analysis, instruments, platforms, end-to-end performance, data flow, launcher interfaces, and ground processing to meet the observation requirements. The definition is carried out in close cooperation with specialists in the different domains as well as with the scientists and/or data users proposing the mission or expected to use its result.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently defining its 12th Earth Explorer mission (EE12), with Keystone being a shortlisted candidate. Keystone aims to provide the first direct observations of atomic oxygen in the 50-150 km altitude range, a crucial step for understanding the energy balance and variability of the mesosphere-lower-thermosphere.

The core of this mission is a high-spectral-resolution THz radiometer. This is a passive limb-emission instrument that measures thermal radiation from the atmosphere to retrieve vertical profiles of trace gases, temperature, and mesospheric winds. The performance and feasibility of this advanced THz instrument are key to the mission's success.

The successful ESA Graduate Trainee (EGT) will join ESA's Keystone team with a primary focus on the performance evaluation and modeling for the THz radiometer instrument. Your work will be centered on instrument simulator development and validation:

• Model Implementation: You will work on implementing representative instrument simulation modules for the THz radiometer, including crucial components like the antenna, spectrometer, and detector chains.
• Contextual Understanding: To build a representative model, a good understanding of the mission, including the science objectives, and a good understanding of the performance models generated by other entities involved in Keystone will be required.
• Performance Validation: This effort contributes directly to the validation of the mission concept and the consolidation of the expected performance budget for the entire THz instrument.

Experience with Python and MATLAB, along with a background in microwave/THz instruments and technologies, would be a strong plus for this position.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/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/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 your master’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical discipline.

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.
• Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
• Good knowledge in microwave remote sensing, physics and mathematics are essential.
• Experience with programming/modelling/computing are essential (particularly Python and MATLAB).
• Knowledge and/or experience in remote sensing techniques, Earth Observation and/or relevant (microwave/THz) instrumentation are assets.

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, 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.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will be given to external candidates from under-represented 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.