Noordwijk (Netherlands)
ESA Graduate Trainee in Earth Observation Mission Concept Development
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Earth and Mission Science Division, of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Earth Observation Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Earth and Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation (EO) in close cooperation with the scientific community.
The Earth and Mission Science Division team:
- Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept.
- Manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in-orbit satellite commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements.
- Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development.
You will work within the Earth Surfaces and Interior Section or the Atmospheric Section of the Earth and Mission Science Division, whose role is to provide broad science support throughout the preparation and development of Earth Observation missions. Your activities will contribute to and benefit from a diverse and international team of scientists working across a variety of Earth Science disciplines.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
In the framework of EOP’s 12th cycle of Earth Explorer missions (EE12), two candidate missions among four missions – CryoRad, ECO, Hydroterra+ and Keystone – will be down-selected for Phase A feasibility studies by ESA Member States after the July 2026 User Consultation Meeting. You will join one of the selected missions team to support the scientific definition and performance evaluation of the mission, in view of working towards maximising its scientific output, and contributing towards the preparation of the feasibility assessment and final mission selection process scheduled for summer 2028. A brief description of the four missions is here:
You will work on the theory and testing of one of the mission’s performance, including the simulation of signals observed by the spacecraft, the generation of instrument data streams, and their processing into scientific products to be distributed to scientific users. You may also compare such data to similar output produced by other simulators or experimental airborne campaigns. You will produce and analyse output that contributes towards the preparation of the Report for Mission Selection.
You may further assist in other mission science and promotion tasks, including interacting with the scientific community and the mission team, supporting workshop and meeting preparation, as well as mission communication, visualisation, and public outreach.
You will become acquainted with the competitive process behind the definition and maturation of ESA Earth Observation research mission concepts through to their selection for mission implementation and learn about the technical and scientific approaches to mission performance and feasibility assessment.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in Physics, Geophysics, Geoscience or a relevant scientific/engineering subject.
Additional requirements
Demonstrated experience in using Python is an asset.
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
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.
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, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).
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 be given 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
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