Innovation Officer
JOB DETAIL
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
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.
Post
Innovation Officer
This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of 4 years and is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
Description
Innovation Officer in the Advanced Concepts and Studies Office (TEC-SF), Systems Department (TEC-S), Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).
Duties
Reporting to the Head of the Advanced Concepts and Studies Office (TEC-SF), you will fulfil the role of Innovation Officer in the field of Earth observation (EO) and will support the innovation activities of the ɸ-lab, a division and innovation lab within ESA’s Science, Applications and Climate Department in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP) to support disruptive and transformative innovation in Earth observation, with the following principal tasks and responsibilities:
• Exploring innovations in the space and non-space domains and delivering them with a positive impact on ESA’s mainstream activities and ecosystem, consisting of industry, academia and the scientific community;
• Exploring the disruptive and transformative innovation landscape of the space and non-space domains in view of future EO applications, specifically including results from early R&D activities, such as results from Discovery, Preparation, TDE, GSTP and non-ESA-funded low-TRL technology and concept developments;
• Promoting the generation, connection and sharing of ideas to engage with the innovation ecosystem and pioneers both within and external to ESA;
• Identifying, analysing and evaluating innovation trends and opportunities potentially relevant to future EO applications, including the evaluation of industry- and academia-initiated ideas, concepts and technologies;
• Actively identifying key areas for innovative transformation of EO and creating/overseeing plans for fostering innovation uptake in the European EO ecosystem and in ESA mainstream activities;
• Developing plans for nurturing, maturing and testing novel technologies and concepts from their proof of concept in order to promote adoption, raise the TRL and foster their uptake;
• Defining and implementing R&D activities fostering innovative EO solutions with new digital technologies, for example AI, blockchain and new computing paradigms, including innovative pilot activities;
• Exploring agile development methods to foster discovery, facilitate innovation and accelerate adoption, such as the organisation of bootcamps, Idea Campaigns, challenges, workshops and space application camps;
• Performing and evaluating system design trade-off studies and establishing initial end-to-end system architectures and operations concepts for novel concepts;
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders to enhance innovative thinking in and around ESA;
• Engaging and liaising proactively with D/TEC and D/EOP organisational units to increase collaboration on advanced concepts linked to EO applications, addressing problems and opportunities, facilitating initiatives and channelling results into ESA mainstream activities;
• Supporting the presentation of new ideas and plans to high-level stakeholders.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in engineering or physics is required. A PhD will be considered an asset. A successful track record and experience in managing innovation schemes will also be an asset.
Additional requirements
The following competencies will be considered assets for this position:
• Ability to initiate and sustain collaborative initiatives with industrial partners and stakeholders on a non-exchange-of-funds basis.
• Track record of interacting with external parties, especially industry and non-space actors.
• Excellent cognitive, analytical and relationship management skills.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
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.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
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 at [email protected].
Please note that applications are only 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*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
