• Function title: Data Scientist (Communication, Navigation & Surveillance)
• Reference: NOC-NM-2023-AD/725
• Location: Brussels
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties – Information about living in Brussels
• Nature of the competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL
• Function group: Function group IV
• Job level: 13-15 – Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic post: Junior Specialist
• Number of posts: 1
• Duration of engagement: 5 Year(s) – extension or conversion of the contract is possible – see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security policies
• Directorate/Service: NMD/INF/CNS – Integrated CNS Unit
• Working arrangement: Hybrid work (a blend of onsite and remote work). Please note that EUROCONTROL does not offer full-time remote working arrangements.
• Competition publication date: 07/12/2023
• Competition closing date: 18/01/2024 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable – See details in the “Useful information” section

Your team

Within the Network Management Directorate, the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Unit, amongst other activities, collects and processes very large volume of technical data (Big Data) to estimate performance metrics and deliver the CNS Monitoring services.

The CNS innovation team develops artificial-intelligence based prototypes aiming at:

• processing large amount of data in an efficient way, fitting and creating new data to increase the Monitoring service,
• automating complex analysis and tasks to reduce the required manual effort from experts,
• mining large amount of data to detect deviation from expected behaviour, automatically preparing the data for investigations and prioritising possible anomalies that have the most impact on the network, and supporting the resolution of these anomalies.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Collect requirements for new prototypes, identify relevant datasets for prototype development and develop new prototypes either based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) or traditional data processing techniques.
• Validate AI based prototypes against standardised and regulatory requirements for the development of machine learning based systems in aviation (e.g. EASA AI concept paper (proposed Issue 2(*)), EUROCAE AI proposed standards).
• Validate and improve prototypes through complementary or independent data analysis and document the validation processes and outcome.
• Prepare prototypes for migration to deployment platforms, this includes documentation of the prototype and development of software (e.g. Java libraries) to support the migration.
• Evaluate new AI techniques and algorithms for incorporation into the development of innovative prototypes.
• Prepare technical documents and deliver presentations to various stakeholders (ANSPs, aviation industry, airports, etc.).
• Identify traineeship opportunities that provide students with an engaging practical experience working on prototype development and provide guidance and support to trainees as needed.
• Carry out any other tasks in line with the main purpose of the job.

(*)https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/newsroom-and-events/news/easa-artificial-intelligence-concept-paper-proposed-issue-2-open

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Completed university studies of 4 years in a relevant domain (e.g. Computer Science, Aeronautical Engineering, Air Navigation System Engineering). A specialisation in data science would be a strong asset.
• Training or education in aviation, or a private pilot license would be an advantage.
• A minimum of 2 years’ relevant professional experience to perform the described responsibilities.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence model development in Python/Keras or Java.
• Experience with Big Data processing utilising programming languages such as Java, Julia, Python specific libraries, etc. and Big Data processing techniques such as vectorisation, GPU acceleration, etc.
• Understanding of the mathematical logic and underlying algorithms in Artificial Intelligence models and experience applying these algorithms to non-regular datasets.
• Knowledge of Applied Mathematics and Hybrid Artificial Intelligence.
• Knowledge of the aviation infrastructure (e.g. CNS systems) would be an advantage.
• Analytical thinking: You analyse information and are able to identify relationships.
• Problem solving: You anticipate and solve business issues.
• Customer focus: You adapt services to respond to customer needs.
• Quality focus: You set and foster high quality standards.
• Result focus: You seek to improve personal performance.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach.
• The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1. The selected candidate will be required to become at least a basic user of French at level A1 before the end of the probation period.
  The levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• The selected candidate will be offered a contract of 5 Year(s) and it may be renewed up to a maximum of 9 years or converted into an undetermined contract pursuant to the provisions of the Conditions of Employment of Contract Staff at EUROCONTROL. Before being established in the post, he/she will be requested to provide certified copies of his/her degrees and successfully serve a probationary period of 9 months.
• The successful candidate shall be engaged in principle at the basic grade of the advertised grades.
• Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one year from the closing date of applications.
• Information on salary and benefits can be found on our Careers site
• EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.
• Candidates should go to our Careers site and read the tips on how to apply.