EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STScl
Job Requisition ID: 18765
Closing Date: 16 September 2024 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: External Only
Type of Contract: Internal Research Fellow
Date Posted: 26 August 2024
Location: 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, USA
The 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 curate the 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.
Technical competencies:
Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
Knowledge relevant to the field of research
Research/publication record
Ability to conduct research autonomously
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 must have completed and obtained your PhD before starting the Research Fellowship. Applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD are preferred.
Additional requirements:
Cross-cultural sensitivity.
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.
Specificities:
Fellows are members of the ESA Science Faculty, which supports a wide range of research and scientific activities.
Research Fellows have no teaching obligations but do have various opportunities to supervise undergraduate or masters-level student trainees.
The review committee will consist of members with diverse areas of expertise. Therefore, the application should be written for a general audience of space scientists. The application will be evaluated with respect to scientific excellence of the candidate, proposed research at ESA (e.g., regarding feasibility, future impact), and synergies with existing ESA research activities at the selected site. Appointments for an ESA Research Fellowship are initially for 2 years, with the possibility of a 3rd year extension.
Other information: For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework. For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship.
With the application, four separate documents must be provided in the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section:
Motivation letter
CV
List of publications. This needs to be separate from the CV. For publications that are not first-authored, please indicate the individual contribution.
A research proposal of no more than 4 pages outlining your proposed research.
Furthermore, candidates should indicate their preferred location (ESTEC, ESAC, or STScI).
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.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).
In accordance with the European Space Agency's security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
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