What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Scientist position at European Space Agency - ESA?
Job Requisition ID: 19401
Date Posted: 12 March 2025
Closing Date: 2 April 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Science
Workplace:
Baltimore, US
Grade Band: A2 - A4
Location
STScl - ESA Office, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Description
The European Space Agency 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 Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific content of the Science programme and provides scientific expertise to Science missions, across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders are informed, engaged and inspired.
In this role, you will serve as the ESA Project Scientist and Science Operations Scientist for the Roman Space Telescope within SCI-E, joining the ESA Office at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, USA. You will actively engage with the ESA astronomical community and the general public to ensure the mission remains prominent and visible in Europe. Your primary objective will be to maximise the scientific return from the mission throughout all phases, while adhering to technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. To achieve this, you will collaborate closely with the Science Operations Development Division at ESA to identify science operations concepts that support the European scientific community.
Occasionally, you may be asked to advise ESA management in the areas of your scientific competence and support the future activities of the Science programme, such as studies/assessments of future missions or participation in reviews.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:
Technical competencies
Active researcher in a relevant field of space science
Knowledge and experience of scientific space missions and payloads
Experience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at international level
Experience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public
Experience in defining, setting up and/or operating space science projects
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field is required for this post.
Additional Requirements
Desirable assets include a good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context and experience in either of the following:
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
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.
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.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
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 are only 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
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*.
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.
Recruitment Process »
What we offer »
Life at ESA »
FAQ »
Nearest Major Market: Baltimore
Date Posted: 12 March 2025
Closing Date: 2 April 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Science
Workplace:
Baltimore, US
Grade Band: A2 - A4
Location
STScl - ESA Office, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Description
The European Space Agency 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 Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific content of the Science programme and provides scientific expertise to Science missions, across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders are informed, engaged and inspired.
In this role, you will serve as the ESA Project Scientist and Science Operations Scientist for the Roman Space Telescope within SCI-E, joining the ESA Office at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, USA. You will actively engage with the ESA astronomical community and the general public to ensure the mission remains prominent and visible in Europe. Your primary objective will be to maximise the scientific return from the mission throughout all phases, while adhering to technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. To achieve this, you will collaborate closely with the Science Operations Development Division at ESA to identify science operations concepts that support the European scientific community.
Occasionally, you may be asked to advise ESA management in the areas of your scientific competence and support the future activities of the Science programme, such as studies/assessments of future missions or participation in reviews.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:
- Overseeing the appointment and participation of ESA scientific community representatives on Roman Science committees and teams;
- Promoting Roman to the European scientific community, coordinating with the Roman Mission Office;
- Supporting the promotion of European participation in Roman at conferences, by electronic means and via the broader Directorate/Agency outreach and education activities;
- Preparing and disseminating relevant scientific documentation and reporting to ESA management and advisory bodies when required;
- Participating in the activities of the Roman science operations facility at the Space Telescope Science Institute.
- Proposing science operations concept scenarios to support the European scientific community, in particular identifying synergies with Euclid, with the aim of maximising scientific opportunities, always within programmatic constraints;
- Implementing the approved elements including leading the design, testing and transition to operations.
Technical competencies
Active researcher in a relevant field of space science
Knowledge and experience of scientific space missions and payloads
Experience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at international level
Experience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public
Experience in defining, setting up and/or operating space science projects
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field is required for this post.
Additional Requirements
Desirable assets include a good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context and experience in either of the following:
- large scale astronomical surveys
- management of scientific teams and coordinating the scientific community
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
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.
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.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
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 are only 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
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*.
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.
Recruitment Process »
What we offer »
Life at ESA »
FAQ »
Nearest Major Market: Baltimore