Internal Research Fellow (Postdoc) in Radiation Effects Engineering of Microelectronics

The Internal Research Fellow (Postdoc) in Radiation Effects Engineering of Microelectronics traineeship is based at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

• Type of appointment: Internal Research Fellow.
• Grade band: F2 - F2.
• Closing date: 15 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST.

Our team and mission

The Radiation and Component Reliability Section (TEC-EDR) and the Microelectronics Section (TEC-EDM) are part of the Avionics and EEE Division (TEC-ED) in the Electrical Department (TEC-E).

Their main area of responsibility is to provide direct and indirect engineering support to ESA projects and European industry in the fields of EEE component radiation effects and reliability assessment. The activities of the Section are strongly laboratory-oriented, and TEC-EDR is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Electrical Components Laboratory. The laboratory has state-of-the-art facilities for the simulation of space environment conditions, such as temperature, shock, vibration and radiation, as well as instruments to characterise the electrical performance, materials and workmanship of electronic components.

The TEC-EDR Section provides quality and engineering support to all ESA projects and development programmes in the area of radiation and component reliability.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Growing mission complexity, the need for European sovereignty, and increasing demand for speed, data capacity, and artificial intelligence require research into radiation effects engineering of complex microelectronics. Advanced high-performance devices used in space applications are usually not radiation-hardened and thus require dedicated test campaigns and complex radiation analysis.

The research activity relates to the preparation of radiation test campaigns on complex microelectronics, including developing test set-ups and subsequent data analysis, with emphasis on single-event effects on complex semiconductor devices such as field programmable gate arrays, advanced synchronous dynamic random-access memories, microprocessors and system-on-chip devices. The research will focus on the development of best industrial practices for the radiation testing and engineering for radiation mitigation of complex microelectronics.

The theoretical research will be complemented by using irradiation sources available at ESTEC (Co-60, Cf-252 and pulsed laser testing) and heavy ion and proton accelerators available in Europe.

The research will be carried out with support from other Sections in the Division, offering an opportunity to work in an end-to-end environment including supporting competences from colleagues working in the domains of components, microelectronics, data handling and flight software.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge relevant to the field of research
• Research/publication record
• Ability to conduct research autonomously
• Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
• Ability to gather and share relevant information
• General interest in space and space research

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have recently completed (within five years), or be close to completion of a PhD in microelectronics and radiation effects.

Additional requirements

You should have a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in electrical/electronic engineering or solid-state physics, as well as substantial experience in the field of radiation effects on semiconductor components and all aspects of irradiation testing.

You should have experience with SEE rate prediction tools and sufficient knowledge of the space environment to correctly employ such tools. You should demonstrate familiarity with device physics simulation tools; modern programming techniques; modelling and simulation of radiation effects on complex semiconductor components for radiation hardening; and software engineering practices.

Basic knowledge of component engineering and product assurance principles and modelling/simulation of radiation effects on EEE components for radiation hardening is an asset.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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

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.

Nationality and Languages

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 and 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.