German National Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Data Science

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 fields, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and telecommunications, and has a presence in multiple countries across Europe.

Job Overview:
As a National Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Data Science, you will join the Enterprise Section within the Green Solutions Division of the Earth Observation Directorate’s Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department. This role focuses on the development of innovative applications of Earth Observation (EO) data, particularly in the context of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. You will engage in advanced research and development activities, contributing to the design, implementation, and validation of innovative signal processing techniques. The position emphasizes collaboration with scientific, industrial, and operational stakeholders, and you will be expected to disseminate research findings through publications and participation in workshops. By the end of the traineeship, you will have gained in-depth technical knowledge of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems and products, hands-on experience in signal processing techniques for moving target analysis, and enhanced scientific communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your primary responsibilities will include the development and assessment of advanced signal processing techniques aimed at improving the detection of moving targets. You will conduct research on SAR acquisition configurations and processing strategies to enhance spatial resolution and extract motion-related target parameters. Additionally, you will analyze and develop signal processing methods to characterize the dynamic behavior of targets, integrate and fuse SAR-derived information to support improved target detection, classification, and characterization for security-related applications. You will also assess the state of the art in SAR-based target detection and security applications, interact with various stakeholders, and contribute to research dissemination activities, including preparing scientific and technical publications and participating in workshops and events.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess good interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience in international teams is considered an asset. The selection process will also evaluate your motivation, professional prospects, and career goals.

Educational Background:
Applicants should have recently completed or be in the final year of a master’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to succeed in the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant experience gained during internships, project work, or extracurricular activities. This experience should ideally relate to the space sector and relevant activities, providing a foundation for the advanced research and development tasks expected in this role.

Languages:
The mandatory working languages of the Agency are English and French, with a good knowledge of one required for the position. Knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset, enhancing communication within the diverse environment of ESA.

Additional Notes:
This position is a National Graduate Trainee appointment, which typically involves a fixed-term contract. The role is full-time and is specifically targeted at nationals of Germany or permanent residents of Germany with the nationality of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Cooperating State. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment, in compliance with ESA's security procedures. 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.