Our team and mission

As the holder of this two-year post, you will report to the Head of the Science Section in the Green Solutions Division within the Climate Actions, Sustainability and Science Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes. In the execution of your tasks, you will work in close cooperation with other staff in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

The Science Section is a dynamic R&D team leading Earth Observation (EO) research and Earth system and climate science activities in partnership with European and international scientific groups. Visit our website for an overview of our activities: https://eo4society.esa.int/communities/scientists/

You will be part of the Earth System Science Hub, a new science facility at ESA and centre for networking and scientific collaboration among world-class researchers in ESA Member States (MS) and worldwide. The Hub brings together young and senior scientists from various disciplines in Earth Observation and Earth System Science to contribute to developing the next generation of EO products and jointly address some of the major science challenges of this decade.

The Hub relies on the latest advances in open data science, cloud computing and HPC capabilities, offering a collaborative environment for advanced science and research development.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: https://www.esa.int/

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will focus on advancing our EO-based capacity to observe, understand and predict changes in the polar regions. You will use state-of-the-art, advanced methods, such as novel algorithms, sensor synergy, AI/machine learning and modelling, to improve understanding of complex processes, feedbacks and potential impacts. Priority will be given to enhancing observations and understanding in one of the following subdomains:

• Ice-sheet changes and their impact at regional and global scale
• Dynamics of glaciers and ice caps
• Interactions between ice shelves, tidewater glaciers and the ocean/atmosphere
• Ice-sheet supra- or sub- glacial hydrology
• Sea ice dynamics, interactions and feedbacks in the Earth system

As well as undertaking independent and collaborative research activities, you will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of the activities of the ESA Polar Science Custer: polarsciencecluster.esa.int

You will be responsible for various activities, including:

• undertaking advanced research addressing major observational gaps and scientific priorities in EO, polar and Earth system science. Research may cover a wide range of topics from the development and validation of novel methods, algorithms and EO products to innovative polar research;
• contributing to the advancement of our understanding of the Earth and climate system based on advanced EO data, models and AI and establishing a solid scientific basis for the implementation and evolution of Digital Twin Earth by undertaking collaborative research across domains in collaboration with ESA experts and international scientists and science teams;
• supporting the definition, technical supervision and coordination of scientific exploitation projects carried out by external teams of experts and scientists in all areas of EO research and Earth system science;
• maintaining a continuous dialogue with the scientific communities, including major international programmes and initiatives such as the EU Horizon Europe programme, Antarctica Insync, SCAR, CliC and IASC, and partner space agencies such as NASA, to prepare the scientific agenda driving future ESA activities and plans.

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, engineering or Earth system science with research experience and peer-reviewed publications in relevant topics for the fields of research proposed.

Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD.

Additional requirements

In addition to your CV and cover letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than five pages. Your proposal should be uploaded to the “Additional documents” field of the “Application information” section.

You should also have:

• proven research experience based on the use of relevant satellite measurements;
• science software development experience and programming skills.

Additional experience in modelling will be an asset.

You should have good analytical and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment in an autonomous manner.

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.