Estonian National Graduate Trainee in AI/Machine Learning Mapping of Forestry Biodiversity

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 across various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and satellite navigation, and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The Estonian National Graduate Trainee (NGT) Programme offers recent Master’s graduates a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of Earth observation and machine learning, specifically focusing on mapping forestry biodiversity. This position is designed for individuals who have recently completed or are in the final stages of their Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Forestry, Remote Sensing, Data Science, or Environmental Science. The trainee will work within the Applications Section at ESA's ESRIN site in Frascati, Italy, contributing to research and development projects that address global environmental challenges. The role involves utilizing satellite data from ESA's Sentinel missions and the newly launched BIOMASS mission to develop indicators for forest carbon and biodiversity, assess ecosystem conditions, and inform policy decisions related to forest conservation. The trainee will also gain experience in scalable Earth observation processing and stakeholder-driven development in an international context, enhancing their understanding of how Earth observation data supports international policy frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Estonian National Graduate Trainee include:

• Developing forest carbon and structural/functional biodiversity indicators for protected areas using satellite data.
• Mapping land cover and land cover change within protected areas, comparing trends with surrounding unprotected lands.
• Evaluating ecosystem conditions by tracking vegetation health, fragmentation, and recovery after disturbances.
• Summarizing key findings to inform international and national policies aimed at forest conservation.
• Utilizing ESA-supported cloud computing platforms for research and data analysis.
• Collaborating with a team of Earth observation experts and engaging with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Conducting product validation and uncertainty assessments to ensure the reliability of findings.
• Communicating results effectively through written reports and presentations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with 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. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate motivation and a clear professional perspective, which will be evaluated during the selection process. Specific qualifications that would be advantageous include experience with Earth observation for land cover mapping, familiarity with forest ecosystems, strong programming skills in languages such as R or Python, and knowledge of machine learning techniques for image and time series analysis.

Educational Background:
Applicants should have recently completed or be in the final year of a Master’s degree in Forestry, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Environmental Science, or a related engineering discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the technical aspects of the role and for effectively engaging with the research and development projects at ESA.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant experience gained through internships, project work, or extracurricular activities. Experience in Earth observation, particularly for land cover mapping and satellite data processing, is highly desirable. Familiarity with cloud computing environments and high-performance computing is also beneficial, as it relates to the technical competencies required for the role.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory for the position. Additionally, knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse working environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of the ESA Graduate Trainee Programme, which offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates to gain practical experience in a prestigious international organization. The contract duration is typically for a fixed term, and the position is full-time. ESA 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 agency also provides support for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment process and in the workplace. Candidates should be aware that the recruitment process may include selection tests and background screening as part of ESA's security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security procedures.