Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
ESA maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to ‘Empower Europe to lead space science’. The Department for Science Operations and Office for Science Engagement and Oversight host together the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions, from study to end of operations. It defines and develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of ESA’s space science missions for the benefit of humankind.
The Jupiter Icy moon Explorer (JUICE ) is the first large-class mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 programme. Launched in 2023 and planned to arrive at Jupiter in 2031, it will spend at least four years making detailed observations of Jupiter and three of its largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Scientific space missions encompass many technical challenges, one of which being the radiation environment. The space environment around Jupiter that the Juice mission will encounter is one of the harshest in the solar system. Very high energy particles are trapped in the magnetosphere and can degrade the mission performances. This aspect needs to be carefully considered during each phase of the project and have multiple impacts on the mission design: spacecraft and instrument shielding, adjusted trajectory to limit the radiation dose over the course of the mission, adapted payload operations to protect the instruments when needed.
The goal of this project is to use the latest model of the Jupiter radiation environment to support the selection of the Juice trajectory and to prepare the future science operations planning. An updated radiation model will be available in 2025. The following activities are foreseen, under the supervision of the Juice Project Scientist, in collaboration with radiation experts, trajectory designer, and members of the Juice science operations center:
- learn about the Juice mission, science, payload, science planning and trajectory design, how radiation models are being developed and what are the effects of radiation on spacecraft and instruments;
- test of the Jupiter radiation model update and, using specific existing software, evaluation of the radiation dose level for a family of spacecraft trajectories in the Jupiter system with varying orbital inclinations;
- design and implementation of a system within the science operations center to visualise a selection of relevant Juice measurements (spacecraft engineering data, radiation monitor, etc..) to track the radiation environment;
- consolidation of the requirements for including the information on radiation (like radiation dose, energetic particles fluxes,…) in the science operations planning and implementation of these requirements;
- study of the radiation shielding of the Ganymede magnetosphere for future implementation in the science operations planning and assessment of future trajectories, by using an engineering radiation model specifically developed for this purpose.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in in physics, astrophysics, or computer science.
Additional requirements
You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.
No specific technical scientific requirements for this post. Knowledge of a commonly used scientific programming languages (e.g., Python or IDL) is an asset.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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.
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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta 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 be given to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
