Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Artificial Intelligence for Space Systems

Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Artificial Intelligence for Space Systems

Our team and mission

Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Artificial Intelligence for Space Systems in the AI and Data Science Section, Future Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Future Engineering Division, in support of the programme directorates, is responsible for developing and providing the right engineering expertise, tools, methods and standards for the development of future projects. The role of the Division’s AI and Data Science Section is to lead the Agency’s centre of excellence for artificial intelligence (AI). The Section supports the development and exploitation of future space missions focusing on AI technologies and techniques, development and verification methods for AI systems, data science technologies and development methods, identification of future applications of AI, and monitoring evolutions of advanced technologies (such as quantum computing) to explore their suitability for space applications.

As Research Fellow, you will work in a team of experienced engineers in the domain of space systems, be part of the ESA AI Competence Centre embodied by the Section and join the ESA AI expert network. You will be able to interface with experts from other engineering disciplines for applications and potential demonstrations. You will be responsible for:

• prototype applications, proofs of concept and related tests in the laboratory facilities and possibly the ESA Space High Performance Computer facility to assess technologies developed;
• providing AI expertise for the development of AI systems and their applications, whether supporting ESA missions and projects, ESA R&D activities, or ESA working groups on AI;
• supporting the creation of an AI strategy for use in space systems and processes;
• disseminating results of technical reporting through peer-reviewed journal publications, colloquiums and webinars;
• contributing to the development of advanced benchmark problems that can serve as baseline and reference cases for various R&D projects.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In line with the application areas and technology domains, you will be assigned the tasks of consolidating research and applying AI technology for one of the following topics. The topic will be detailed and consolidated in line with your profile, experience and research proposal.

Planning and autonomy:

The objective is to study the state of the art of planning algorithms that would support onboard autonomous operations of a rover system on the Moon or Mars and develop a representative demonstrator. The rover system must be able to perform exploration tasks completely autonomously with possible interactions with an astronaut or the ground that will provide high-level requests to be executed. The autonomy concepts must consider the availability of different types of sensors (optical, lidar, inertial measurement unit, etc.), the criticality of operations (trustworthiness) and the limited resources available onboard (optimisation techniques).

Space system engineering:

The objective is to study the state of the art of AI techniques that can support the development of space systems during the entire life cycle (with the exception of operations) in compliance with space system standards (ECSS) and develop demonstrators. This could cover one or several applications related to requirement engineering, system and subsystems design, modelling, implementation, analyses, verification, testing, validation and qualification. Typical areas where the use of AI can be highly beneficial are:

• requirement engineering: supporting the creation or improvement of requirements, and requirement flow-down verification;
• system and subsystem modelling: generation of models from requirements or higher-level models, design optimisation, verification of models;
• implementation: generation of code for onboard real-time and critical systems, and smart manufacturing;
• analyses: support of different data analyses including thermal, mechanical or test results to ease the validation of systems and subsystems.

Embedded AI, optimisation of models, improvement of performance:

Some artificial intelligence techniques require a large amount of memory and high-performance processors. For this topic, the objective is to study and develop benchmarks to evaluate the different techniques that can be used to ensure the correct execution of AI techniques with minimal resources and an increase in performance through specific libraries (e.g. OpenCV or SIMD) or generation of an optimised compiler (e.g. XLA). Neuromorphic computing is considered as very promising for onboard applications due to the low power consumption and high level of performance.

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, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:

PhD in artificial intelligence or computer science.

Additional requirements

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than 5 pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.

This position, located at the crossroads of academic approaches and industrial applications, of AI and space systems engineering, is at the core of current systems engineering and embedded systems challenges. It is also an opportunity to transition gradually from an academic context to an industrial perspective.

You should:

• Have good methodological and organisational skills to interact with the systems engineering and AI community and project teams.
• Demonstrate an interest in space as well as the ability and interest in becoming actively involved in prospective interdisciplinary research.

You should also 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. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

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.

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

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).

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.