ESA Graduate Trainee in Optical Instrument End-to-End Performance Modelling for Earth Observation

ESA Graduate Trainee in Optical Instrument End-to-End Performance Modelling for Earth Observation

Our team and mission

The role of the Future Missions and Instruments Division is to prepare the Earth observation (EO) missions, instruments and technologies of the future, encompassing a wide range of research missions (Earth Explorers, Missions of Opportunity, Scouts) and operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels together with the European Union and meteorology missions together with EUMETSAT). The work carried out is mainly related to:

1. the end-to-end definition of space missions, including orbits, instruments, platforms, end-to-end performance, data flow, launcher interfaces, and ground processing to meet the observation requirements;
2. the definition and pre-development of instruments (optical and microwave) and platforms (including payload data handling and transmission), including breadboarding of critical elements for technology development and risk retirement.

The work is carried out in close cooperation with specialists in the various technology domains, as well as with the scientists and/or data users proposing the mission or expected to use its results.

If selected for this position, you will join, as an ESA Graduate Trainee, the Optical Instruments Section in the Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The proposed activity is aimed at contributing to ESA's internal Instrument Modelling Performance Collaborative Tool (IMPaCT), coded in Python programming language.

To this end, you will advance this tool to estimate the end-to-end performance of future EO optical instruments.

This tool may include the following simulation blocks:

• Scene generation for imagers and spectrometers;
• Geometrical and orbital parameters;
• Optical sizing and image quality;
• Detector modelling;
• Radiometric performance;
• Calibration strategy;
• Image processing.

You might directly apply your simulations to Future EO missions in preparatory phases.

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 relevant technical or scientific discipline, e.g. optical engineering or physics.

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.

You should also have:

• Ability to conduct bibliographic research and document your algorithms.
• Ability to perform conceptual optical design, performance analysis and radiometric budget of optical instrumentation.
• Experience in Python programming for physics applications.
• Knowledge of Gitlab, Jupyter Notebook, and experience in open-source software development.
• Knowledge of space instrumentation, in particular imaging and spectroscopy technologies in the visible and infrared.

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.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.