Marine and Coastal Applications Scientist

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 encompass 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 collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Marine and Coastal Applications Scientist position is situated within the Applications Section of the Green Solutions Division, part of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department at ESA. This role is pivotal in defining and managing Earth observation (EO) research and development projects that focus on marine and coastal applications. The department aims to leverage Europe's strengths in EO systems and applications to maximize societal benefits, particularly in addressing climate change and environmental sustainability. The successful candidate will engage with stakeholders and end-users to co-design and validate innovative EO applications that align with international and European policies on climate and sustainable development. This includes addressing critical issues such as marine ecosystem protection, pollution monitoring, and the promotion of the blue economy, which encompasses fisheries, aquaculture, and marine renewable energy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As an Applications Scientist, your responsibilities will include organizing thematic consultation meetings, workshops, and conferences to assess the current state of EO marine and coastal applications and gather user needs. You will engage with diverse user communities and facilitate the co-design and co-development of new applications. Your role will also involve pioneering EO products and analytics, developing innovative applications that utilize cloud computing and integrate non-EO data sources. You will work to ensure that the developed applications are adopted by various end-user communities, including policy implementers and industry sectors. Establishing partnerships with key stakeholders at both EU and UN levels will be crucial, as will demonstrating the scalability of applications for global solutions. Additionally, you will support communication efforts to promote the results of EO applications and supervise ESA Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in remote sensing, geophysics, or a related field pertinent to marine and coastal applications, along with at least four years of relevant professional experience. A PhD is considered an asset, and professional experience in remote-sensing applications development and project management is highly desirable. Knowledge of international and European policies related to marine and coastal applications is essential, as is familiarity with ESA EO programmes and initiatives. Strong competencies in result orientation, operational efficiency, fostering cooperation, and relationship management are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master's degree in a relevant field such as remote sensing, geophysics, or other disciplines related to marine and coastal applications. A PhD is advantageous and may enhance the candidate's profile, particularly if it is accompanied by professional experience in relevant applications development and project management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master's degree. Candidates with a PhD may have additional experience considered an asset, particularly in remote-sensing applications and project management. Experience in managing R&D projects and leading international scientific collaborations is also highly valued.

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 language from a Member State is considered an asset. This linguistic requirement is essential for effective communication within the agency and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite, and is classified within the grade band A2-A

• Recruitment will primarily be within this grade band, but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for a lower grade. The agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. The agency is also transitioning to a Matrix setup, which may lead to organizational changes affecting this position.