Project Scientist

ESA is looking for a Project Scientist.

Vacancy in the Directorate of Science.

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.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Description 
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. The Department of Science and Operations, in ESA's Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers who oversee the space missions from the study phase to end of operations, develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space; it archives and curates their data during operations and beyond. Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind. 

The ESA Science Programme includes several missions targeting exoplanet science, CHEOPS and PLATO focus on high precision photometry to detect transiting exoplanets, while the Ariel and NASA/ESA/CSA JWST missions will perform detailed spectroscopic observations of exoplanet atmospheres in the infrared.
 
You will initially be assigned to be the Project Scientist for CHEOPS mission, during which time you will interface and engage with the ESA astronomical community and the public to keep the mission and its science prominent and visible. In close collaboration with the CHEOPS PI, you will ensure that the maximum scientific return from the mission is maintained as a target throughout all phases, keeping within the technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. 

You will form a team working closely with the other two Project Scientists for the exoplanet-science missions, PLATO and Ariel, in which you will engage with and prepare the community for the science from these upcoming missions and to implement activities that increase the scientific value of the missions with the stakeholders. 

Furthermore, you will explore a possible ESA collaboration with the NASA mission aiming to search for biosignatures from habitable zone exoplanets, which was identified as a priority by the NASA 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal survey. 

As Project Scientist you are expected to actively pursue personal scientific research and participate in the Science Faculty.
 
Duties 
The main duties and responsibilities of the Project Scientist include: 

• ensuring that the maximum scientific return from a mission is maintained as a target throughout all phases (study, development, operations, archiving), within technical, financial, programmatic, and safety constraints; 
• coordinating the definition of science requirements with the CHEOPS Science Team and monitoring their implementation during all phases; 
• interfacing for scientific matters with the operations teams, external scientific teams, partners, and the community; 
• coordinating and executing calls for observing proposals and discretionary time proposals; 
• preparing and disseminating relevant scientific documentation and reporting to ESA management and, as requested, to the Advisory Structure; 
• for the mission extension proposals, leading the development of the science case for the wider ESA community;
• promoting the mission to the wider scientific community via conferences and electronic means, and supporting broader Directorate and Agency communications, outreach, and education activities.

Technical competencies
Active research career
Experience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at the international level
Knowledge and experience in scientific space missions and payloads
Experience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public
Knowledge of the latest developments in research and facilities in the relevant field

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education
A PhD in astrophysics (or equivalent) is required.

Additional requirements
Knowledge of the current status of exoplanet science and a good understanding of the next steps in this field

Further assets for this position are:
Experience in the management of scientific teams 
Experience in managing industrial contracts
International work experience
A good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context, including the programmatic context

Closing Date for applications:  29 March 2022

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.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 email [email protected].
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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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia.