Liaison Scientist

Liaison Scientist

**Job Requisition ID**:19824

**Date Posted**:9 October 2025

**Closing Date**:30 October 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

**Publication**:Internal & External

**Type of Contract**:Permanent

**Directorate**:Science

**Workplace**:Noordwijk, NL
- Villanueva de la Cañada, ES

**Grade Band**:A2 - A4

**Location**
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or ESAC (Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid) with preference for ESTEC.

**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 Communication and Education Section (SCI-EC) in the Science Engagement and Oversight Office (SCI-E) is responsible for defining and implementing the Communication and Education Strategy for the European Space Agency’s Directorate of Science. It leverages the scientific output of all space science missions with the aim of ensuring that a wide range of stakeholders (advisory bodies, media, scientists, general public and future generations) are informed, engaged and inspired.

In this role, you will report to the Head of the Science Communication and Education Section and will be responsible for promoting and communicating ESA’s Science Programme across Member States’ scientific communities in support of the ESA Science Communication Strategy. You will also work closely with Project Scientists within the Science Engagement and Oversight Office.**Duties**
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- working with the Head of the Science Communication and Education Section on the development of the ESA Science Communication Strategy vis-à-vis scientific communities and the general public;
- developing and implementing the ESA Science Programme Communication Strategy related to Member States’ scientific communities;
- liaising with the ESA Project Scientists from the Directorate of Science to understand their community-specific interests and to support them in establishing a wider communication effort among those communities;
- organising Directorate of Science Town Halls aimed at European and international scientific communities;
- overseeing the monthly ESA Science Newsletter which informs European scientists about opportunities to engage with ESA science and its missions;
- defining and coordinating content aimed at scientific communities in our dedicated social media channels;
- providing communication support for scientific community events, such as coordination of ESA science booths and special sessions at large conferences or workshops;
- identifying new opportunities to promote the use of ESA science communication material to wider scientific communities.

**Technical competencies**
A background in one or more of the following domains: solar systems science, astrophysics and/or space scienceDemonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with stakeholders from various scientific institutes and affiliated groupsExperience in Science CommunicationExperience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general publicExperience in coordinating scientific teams or groups around communication or educational activities**Behavioural competencies**
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingFor more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

**Education**
A PhD in a relevant area of science (such as astronomy, planetary science or heliophysics) is required for the post.**Additional requirements**
Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English are required. Fluency in Spanish, German, French, Italian or Dutch would be an additional asset.

Any of the following would be desirable:
- Additional qualifications in science communication;
- Experience in developing communication strategies;
- Broad range of scientific interests;
- Experience in scientific writing and/or developing content for science communication.

**Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness**Important Information and Disclaimer**-
- 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**- 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.
- Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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