Science Operations Scientist

Job Requisition ID: 18905

Date Posted: 11 October 2024

Application Deadline: 1 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Science

Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

Description
The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to 'Empower Europe to lead space science'.

The Science Operations Department (SCI-S) within ESA's Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.

As Science Operations Scientist, you will be part of the EnVision Science Operations Centre reporting to the EnVision Science Operations Development Manager and will coordinate science planning activities throughout the various mission phases. In particular, you will be the main scientific interface for science operations with the EnVision stakeholders in the science community, ensuring that their science goals are properly translated into operational requirements, and fulfilled throughout the implementation and execution of the mission’s science operations.

EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity and climate. EnVision is targeting a launch in the early 2030s.

Duties
You will be responsible for various aspects of the planning and execution of instrument and science operations, working in close collaboration with the Project Scientist, the Archive Scientist and the Science Operations Centre (SOC) Team, in addition to acting as the interface between the SOC and the Instrument Teams.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• supporting the Instrument Teams in defining their science operations strategies, as well as providing support on science operations matters including the definition of operations requests, analysis of operational constraints, science operations planning and science operations analysis;
• coordinating the interaction between the SOC and the Instrument Teams for science operations matters, making sure that the instrument science planning and calibration requirements are properly formulated and understood by the Development and Engineering Teams and that long-term operational knowledge is preserved;
• acting as a ‘Product owner’ if an Agile development strategy is pursued for the SOC system, providing the feedback, value and user acceptance testing of the different science operations functionalities;
• supporting the development of strategic/long-term science planning for optimising the science return within the mission’s constraints and its conversion into instrument timelines;
• supporting instrument commissioning and calibration activities;
• interfacing with the EnVision Project Scientist and providing support to the overall evaluation of the mission’s science performance;
• supporting outreach activities promoting the EnVision mission and its science;
• participating in instrument reviews and peer reviews of science data;
• providing support to the definition and validation of the instrument’s data products in coordination with the Archive Scientist, and supporting the development and evolution of the instrument quick-look/data analysis software.

Your position is expected to also involve support for other planetary missions in development in the Division, such as the Juice mission that will explore the Jupiter system and study the habitability of its icy moons using remote sensing and in situ measurements.

In addition to the above duties, you will be expected to continue to carry out research in planetary sciences and actively contribute to the scientific life of the Department.

Technical competencies
Experience in defining, setting up and/or operating space science projects
Experience in coordinating internal or external stakeholders on scientific projects
Working experience with relevant instrumentation (such as radar, camera, spectrometers, radio science, etc.)
Experience in analysing the science performance of planetary missions
Active researcher in a relevant field of planetary science or geology

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

Education
A PhD in planetary sciences, geology, physics or equivalent is required for this post.

Additional requirements
One or more of the following would be additional assets for the position:

• experience in science operations in the context of planetary missions/Earth observation missions;
• experience in operating synthetic aperture radar (SAR);
• experience with Agile Development Methodology, preferably in the role of Product Owner;
• proficiency with at least one scripting or programming language (for example Python or MATLAB);
• experience with media and outreach activities;
• experience with contracts involving scientific institutions and instrument teams;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

International experience, i.e., outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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.

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 via email at

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations & security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be 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, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States.

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.