ESA Graduate Trainee in Solar Generators Section

Our team and mission

The Solar Generators section provides specialist support in the photovoltaic power domain to current ESA missions and development projects. The section is also responsible for ESA R&D activities in this domain for space applications, working on internal activities as well as collaborating with industry and academia throughout Europe, developing current and future technologies. The work of the section is supported by the Solar Generators Characterisation Facility and the Accelerated Life Test Facility on site at ESTEC.

Almost all Spacecraft are powered by solar generators that are designed, developed, manufactured and tested in order to meet the specific mission requirements, mostly making use of the state of the art technology and components (e.g. multi-junction GaAs based solar cells, carbon fibre honeycomb structure). Each of these solar generators is designed to accommodate particular needs from the viewpoint of mission orbits (LEO, MEO, GEO, Planetary, Deep Space or Near Sun missions) and on-board power requirements, and is using different types of configurations (e.g. body mounted solar panels, deployable wings).

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The proposed training project may consist of one of the following tasks:

• Study on next generation space solar cells
• Study on next generation solar generators including concentrator system
• Analysis and investigation of the space environmental effects on solar generators
• Electrical design and in-orbit performance prediction of the solar generators
• Analysis of the thermo-mechanical properties of the solar generators and its components
• Electrical characterisation and test of solar cells and solar panel coupons under space representative conditions

All activities above entail relevant breadboard realisation and test in our laboratories. For analyses, advanced model and simulation tools are available (ORCAD Cadence PSPICE, Microcap, Mathlab, Mathcad/Simulink, Ecosim Pro. etc). For breadboarding and tests, relevant electrical/electronic components, solar cells, solar array coupons, tools and instrumentation are available in the labs (solar array simulators, power and signal generators, scopes, sensors, active and passive loads, network analyzer, impedance test bridges, solar simulators for characterization of solar cells and solar panels, microscopes and electroluminescence facility for solar cell inspections, solar cell spectral response measurement equipment, thermal cycling chambers,...).

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 just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in a technical or scientific 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.

Specific competence in one of the following disciplines shall be considered an asset:

• Solar cells, solar generators
• Mathematical modelling
• Laboratory activity

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.