.EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCYInternal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STSclJob Requisition ID: 18765Closing Date: 16 September 2024 23:59 CET/CESTPublication: External OnlyType of Contract: Internal Research FellowDate Posted: 26 August 2024Location: ESTEC, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, ESAC, European Space Astronomy Centre, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, STScI - ESA Office, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USAThe opportunity: ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications, or space technology. ESA Fellowships provide a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of space science, and experience first-hand how ESA works with communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from our missions.Our team and mission: The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and fundamental physics. Within ESA's Directorate of Science, the Science Engagement and Oversight Office (SCI-E) and the Department for Science and Operations (SCI-S) host the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations; they develop the science operation systems for the missions and conduct their science operations in flight; they archive and curatethe mission data during operations and beyond. The main objective is to maximise the scientific return of the missions for the benefit of humankind. The Science Engagement and Oversight Office and the Science and Operations Department also support research activities, which are coordinated by the ESA Science Faculty. Research Fellows are encouraged to take leading roles in Faculty research programmes and initiatives, in close collaboration with scientific staff. The Research Fellowship programme nurtures and strengthens the links between ESA and the scientific communities in the Member States. Research Fellows spend their time on their independent scientific research and can choose to spend up to 20% of the time on scientific activities in support of ESA science-related activities.Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship: We are welcoming all proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. Candidates are encouraged to contact any of the scientists working in areas of their interest