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Data Quality and CAL/VAL Engineer for SAR

Frascati, Italy, ESA [11942]

Field(s) of expertise
Aerospace Engineering Education and STEM
Job type
Permanent
Education
Master
Deadline
Closed

About this job

ESA is looking for a Data Quality and CAL/VAL Engineer for SAR.

Responsibilities

You will contribute to the overall quality of the SAR data products provided by ESA, with initial emphasis on the products of the Copernicus SAR missions. You will also provide Product Quality and Cal/Val support for the other EO SAR/data provided by ESA. You will report to the Head of the Sensor Performance, Products and Algorithms Section.

You will be initially allocated the following duties:

  • Preparing the end-to-end data quality process of Sentinel-1 SAR mission products during its exploitation phase, including the products and processing scenario definition, the algorithm definition and evolution for Level 1 and Level 2 products, the calibration and the geophysical validation concept definition and evolution during the development and exploitation phases;
  • Managing the industrial contracts related to SAR data quality, algorithm evolution and Cal/Val activities, and, in particular, defining, implementing and managing the SAR Mission Performance Cluster;
  • Supporting the development of SAR ground segment data processing, calibration, validation and quality control facilities for Copernicus, Earth Explorer (e.g. BIOMASS) and Third Party Missions;
  • Proposing innovation in the area of EO product algorithm development, calibration and validation, through a collaborative framework with remote sensing scientists, aiming to introduce more flexibility in the ESA services to EO users; this includes, in particular, supporting the definition and development of a Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform tailored for SAR mission users;
  • Continuously assessing evolving user requirements regarding ESA EO SAR missions in term of data quality, calibration and validation, exploring potential synergies with missions under EOP-G responsibility;
  • Fostering ESA’s strategy and innovation in terms of algorithm, calibration and validation of ESA EO SAR data products, including harmonisation and standardisation with European, scientific and international partners, in particular with the Climate Change Initiative programme, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites and the Copernicus Services;
  • Supporting the mission managers in respect of communication activities, contributing to the preparation of presentations and reports. Publication of papers in peer-reviewed journals is highly encouraged.

Profile

Technical competencies
Data management technology
Experience in remote sensing retrieval techniques
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
Knowledge of (large) international scientific research collaborations, preferably using space-based techniques
Knowledge of international scientific community
Knowledge of scientific discipline, including strategic vision of the Earth Observation area
State-of-the-art knowledge in area of responsibility at required level
Experience in development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems
Experience in mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations

Education
Applicants for this post should have a University PhD or Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering or Earth Sciences with particular emphasis on SAR instruments, data processing algorithms, calibration and validation

Additional requirements
You should also have :

A minimum of three years’ proven experience with satellite-based SAR instruments and data processing within institutes or industry, with a strong scientific background and experience in project management. In particular, you shall be familiar with advanced SAR image formation techniques like Digital Beam Forming.
Expertise in retrieval of geophysical variables over sea and/or landmasses is an asset.
You shall have a general background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position, knowledge of the scientific discipline, including strategic vision of the Earth Observation area.

For a complete job description and to apply, click on “apply”.

The closing date for applications is 29 January 2021.

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 at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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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 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. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

We offer

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an equal opportunities employer that offers competitive salaries exempt from national income tax and excellent employment conditions, such as allowances for expatriates and relocation support.
For more information: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA

About us

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
Learn more: http://www.esa.int/

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