Payload Study Lead
JOB DETAIL
Vacancy in the Directorate of Science.
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.
This post is classified A2–A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Payload Study Lead in the Instrument Studies Section, Science Instrumentation Division, Future Mission Department, Directorate of Science.
The Future Missions Department (SCI-F) oversees mission preparation activities for ESA’s science programmes, including mission definition studies (Phases 0/A/B1) and technology development activities.
The Instrument Studies Section (SCI-FIS) is responsible for the overall technical management of payload definition activities during the early phases of future science missions, including interface management with instrument consortia.
Duties
Reporting to the Head of the Instrument Studies Section, your responsibilities will include:
- overseeing the technical management of payload definition activities during the early phases (Phases 0/A/B1) of a given future mission in the study phase, including managing payload elements provided by ESA, Member States and/or international contributions;
- serving as a technical liaison with the study science teams, specifically addressing instrumentation aspects during the early phases of mission development;
- analysing the design and architecture of instruments relating to plasma physics, planetary science, astronomy or fundamental physics, with a specific focus on instruments designed for planetary science and solar system missions;
- assuming the role of Book Captain by coordinating and preparing the Experiment Interface Document – Part A, or equivalent document, in close collaboration with the study team;
- acting as the interface manager with instrument teams in Phase A or B1 of the mission;
- coordinating the creation of payload-related documents for ESA internal reviews, including the Preliminary Requirements Review at the conclusion of Phase A and the System Requirements Review at the conclusion of Phase B1;
- defining and implementing ESA-funded payload activities and pre-development activities. This applies to both nationally- and ESA-provided payload elements, the aim being to achieve the necessary definition maturity and technology readiness levels by the time of mission adoption. Where relevant, collaboration with the PRODEX Office is essential;
- defining critical payload validation activity needs for securing mission adoption and liaising with the Payload Validation Section for their timely implementation;
- identifying and elaborating upon new instrument technologies required for the Science Directorate’s programmes, participating in the elaboration and implementation of Voyage 2050 technology development plans and closely monitoring nationally funded activities;
- providing expertise and support to payloads for projects under development as required, including participation in project reviews.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A PhD or master’s degree in engineering or applied physics is required.
Additional requirements
You should also:
- have expertise in at least in one of the following fields:
- In-situ instrumentation and associated sensor systems for solar system missions
- Remote-sensing instrumentation for planetary missions, including space optics and detectors, and/or RF and radar instruments
- Astronomical instrumentation
- have the necessary relationship management skills to balance interactions with various ESA stakeholders, including scientific institutions and industry;
- be self-motivated and a problem solver;
- be systems-oriented;
- be a team player and have excellent planning and organisational 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.
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
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 email [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.
