Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Ground Segment and Operations of the Future

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA operates in various domains including Earth observation, human spaceflight, exploration, and telecommunications, and has a significant presence in multiple countries across Europe.

Job Overview:
The Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) position focuses on the Ground Segment and Operations (GS&O) of future space missions. The successful candidate will be part of the Operations Definition and Engineering Team, which is responsible for providing GS&O support during the early phases of missions. This includes participation in the Concept and Definition Phase (CDF) and phases A/B1 of various missions. The role involves researching the current state of operations at new satellite operators and the broader space industry, benchmarking these against ESA's operations, and identifying challenges that will impact future operations. The candidate will analyze ESA's ground segment systems to determine their suitability for upcoming challenges and propose requirements and a roadmap for future operations. Additionally, the role includes designing architecture and operational concepts, recommending promising technologies, and prototyping software to demonstrate proposed features. The candidate will also engage in GS&O definition activities for small missions and Moon landed payloads, exploring innovative approaches to operations engineering services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Internal Research Fellow include:

• Conducting thorough research on the current state of operations at various satellite operators and the space industry.
• Benchmarking ESA's operations against industry standards and identifying challenges that may affect future operations.
• Analyzing ESA's ground segment systems to assess their capability to meet future challenges.
• Proposing and documenting requirements for the ground segment of the future, including a detailed implementation roadmap.
• Designing and proposing architecture and operational concepts that leverage new technologies.
• Prototyping software to demonstrate conceptual features as needed.
• Providing cost estimates for various options that meet the proposed requirements.
• Supporting GS&O definition activities for small missions and Moon landed payloads.
• Investigating and proposing methods for ESA to provide competitive operations engineering services. 1
• Engaging in innovative approaches for GS&O of future missions, utilizing experimental laboratory facilities available at ESOC.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant technical or scientific discipline, preferably in an engineering domain with solid knowledge of space systems. The position requires a systems-oriented and analytical mindset, proficiency in IT skills, and the ability to conduct research autonomously. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should also demonstrate a strong motivation and clear career goals.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have recently completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to candidates who have received their PhD within the last five years. A strong background in engineering and space systems is required for this position.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a strong research background, with a record of publications relevant to the field of study. Candidates should demonstrate a breadth of exposure from past or current research activities, showcasing their ability to gather and share relevant information effectively. Experience in conducting research autonomously is essential.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an Internal Research Fellow and is a full-time role. The recruitment process may involve selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. The agency is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The contract duration and seniority level will be discussed during the recruitment process, and compensation and benefits will be aligned with ESA's policies.