Space Operation Scientist

As a
Space Operations Scientist
, you'll be supporting a range of exciting planetary missions, including JUICE, BepiColombo, ExoMars TGO, EnVision, Mars Express, Hera, and M-Matisse.

You'll play a key role in the Science Operations Centre (SOC), contributing to the planning, coordination, and execution of scientific operations.

About the client and location

The European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) is the European Space Agency's (ESA) base in Villanueva de la Canada, Madrid, Spain. ESAC is responsible for all of ESA's research into astronomy and solar system exploration, as well as being the location of ESA's space telescope. It is from here that archives are stored on ESA's science missions, which are then made accessible for researchers all around the world.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Contributing to strategic and long-term science planning, shaping the future direction of ESA's planetary missions.
• Defining and maintaining instrument observations, ensuring scientific goals are met with precision.
• Monitoring and analysing science operation scenarios, providing both scientific and operational oversight.
• Performing quick-look analyses, define use cases, and carry out testing to validate mission data.
• Conducting coverage analysis to ensure optimal scientific observation across mission timelines.
• Designing, developing, testing, and validating scripts and software tools that support mission operations and data analysis.
• Serving as the main SOC contact for several instrument teams, coordinating science planning, calibration activities, and quick-look requirements to guarantee smooth operations.
• Driving the evolution of the Science Operations System, contributing to requirement definition, system design, and the prototyping of new features and functionalities.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• D. Degree in Planetary Science or a related discipline (e.g., Astronomy, Physics, Space Engineering).
• Active researcher in planetary science.
• Well-established profile within the scientific community, with a recognized expertise and a strong professional network.
• Strong scientific expertise in a field relevant to the mission(s), ideally with a background in spectroscopic analysis for surface mineralogy and thermal properties and/or gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy for geochemical and elemental composition studies.
• Proven experience leading and coordinating scientific projects, collaborating effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience with planetary mission operations, including space instrumentation, data calibration, and scientific data analysis.
• Proficiency in scripting or programming, preferably in Python, to support data processing and analysis workflows.
• Familiarity with the NAIF SPICE system and spacecraft pointing design and analysis is considered a strong advantage.
• Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
• Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, all genders, LGBTQ+ individuals and ex-service personnel.