About this job

Serco Europe is recruiting an Earth Observation Scientist to work on our Customers Site (ESA-ESTEC).

Serco is a trusted provider of services to National Space Agencies and the European Space Agency (ESA), we have over 40 years’ experience supporting the space sector and providing services for all stages of our customer’s space missions.

The main duties of the successful candidate will be to provide support on Mission Science, Management and Exploitation of current and future Earth Observation (EO) Missions with primary focus on Earth’s magnetic and gravity fields. The candidate is expected to support Swarm’s Data, Innovation and Science Cluster (DISC) international consortium which enhances scientific return of a mission, including the processing and dissemination of Level 1b and Level 2 data products. Among the candidate’s duties shall be to support the definition and management of “EO Science for Society” Swarm research studies, and support to mission science activities during the preparatory phases of future gravity and magnetic missions.

Responsibilities

• Support to the Swarm (Earth Explorer) mission management, with special focus on instrument consortia management, coordination, and supervision, L2 data validation, guidance and support for new L2 data production, products definition, validation, review, and applications. Further support is to be provided for the organisation of relevant workshops, conferences and reviews.
• Support during the preparation, procurement, and management of science studies in the framework of “EO Science for Society”, addressing novel topics on Earth’s external fields trends and couplings with special focus, but not limited, to the usage of data from the Swarm mission.
• Support to mission management during Swarm In-Orbit Performance Technical Meetings, as required.
• Support to mission science activities in the preparatory phases of future gravity and magnetic geopotential field missions by contributing to in-house scientific research, consolidation of mission requirements, system reviews, definition, and management of mission science studies.

Profile

• PhD in relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years professional experience in relevant scientific subject, including PhD.
• Knowledge of external fields principles, physics of ionosphere and thermosphere.
• Strong fundamental background in geophysics and Earth’s external field, including technical characteristics of satellites’ instrumentation required to measure the aforementioned physical quantities (i.e., accelerometers/magnetometers).
• Proficiency in the programming and use of software focused on managing satellite data, transformation of Level-1 data into Level-2 geophysical information products, statistical and error analyses.
• Familiarity with the Earth Observation Programmes including the Programme goals and the role of the Space Component.
• Strong experience with Level 1 and Level 2 data processing, especially in the framework of Earth Explorer Missions would be an asset.
• Able to work independently and in teams.
• Able to coordinate teams.
• Comfortable with working in a diverse and multinational team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are needed, together with a high degree organizational and communication abilities.
• Proficient in the English language, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of another EU member state language is an asset.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU.