Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Electric Propulsion
JOB DETAIL
Internal Research Fellowship Opportunity 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. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified F2 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
In addition to playing a key role in defining the technology strategy for electric propulsion (EP) in Europe and implementing technology development activities for ESA through the various technology programmes, such as TDE and GSTP, the Electric Propulsion Section (TEC-MPE) is currently providing vital functional support to the various Application Directorates on a number of ESA and EU flagship projects such as the Neosat, Electra, Space Inspire and Very Low Earth Orbit programmes (D/CSC), in which EP is enabling the next generation of Galileo spacecraft (D/NAV), as well as LISA and ESA’s MSR ERO mission (D/HRE). Furthermore, a number of ESA future missions that are under study are also expected to use electric propulsion. TEC-MPE also runs the ESA Propulsion Lab, in which a large number of tests relating to electric propulsion are conducted.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
The high specific impulse of electric propulsion systems reduces the amount of propellant required to perform an operation in space. These savings enable smaller launches to be used for space projects, extend the lifetime of satellites and increase payload capabilities.
In the commercial domain, involving telecommunications and constellations of satellites in low-Earth orbit, strong competition among satellite manufacturers is a major driver for advancements in the area of electric propulsion, where both performance increases and low prices are required. In addition, new scientific and Earth observation missions impose new, challenging requirements for propulsion systems based on micro-Newton thrusters.
Moreover, new interplanetary missions for exploration will require sophisticated propulsion systems to reach the Moon, planets such as Mercury or Mars, or near-Earth objects and, in some cases, return samples to Earth. Electric propulsion will also be used by the second generation of Galileo satellites to perform orbit-raising and graveyarding.
The use of electric propulsion for space tugs, de-orbiting tugs, deployers and re-fuelling spacecraft is also planned. Finally, electric propulsion is considered a key technology to enhance the utilisation potential of future CubeSats.
ESA is currently involved in several activities relating to electric propulsion, from basic research and the development of conventional and advanced concepts to manufacturing, verification and flight operation of propulsion subsystems for European satellites.
The exploitation of the flight data is an important activity at ESA and will help mission designers to implement lessons learned during the development of new propulsion systems for future missions.
ESA missions such as Neosat, Artemis, SMART-1, GOCE and BepiColombo have paved the way for the use of electric propulsion in future ESA missions, including NovaSAT, Electra, Space Inspire, Galileo Second Generation, Mars Sample Return Earth Return Orbiter, M-Argo, GOMX-5, NGGM and LISA. The use of the ESA Propulsion Lab to test several electric propulsion thrusters has contributed to the development of these engines at ESA.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have recently completed or be close to completion of a PhD in physics or mechanical, electrical or aerospace engineering. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates having completed their PhD in the past five years.
Additional requirements
You should also have knowledge or experience of the design and testing of electric propulsion systems.
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.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please add your proposal of no more than 5 pages outlining your proposed research in the “additional documents” field of the “application information” section.
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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria and Cyprus 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 first be given to 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
