About this job

ESA is looking for a Land Applications Scientist.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
 

Responsibilities

 
You will report to the Head of the Applications Section and be responsible for defining and implementing projects which support the development of innovative Earth observation land applications.
You will manage Earth observation (EO) applications projects in the context of ESA programmes, particularly for activities in Block 4 of FutureEO-1, and responding to identified user needs.
Your main tasks will include:

• organising thematic consultation meetings to review state-of-the-art EO land applications and identify new user needs and recommendations;
•  engaging with new user communities involved in land processes;
• fostering the development of innovative EO products, tools and precursor services in relation to land dynamics applications (e.g. related to agriculture, soils, hydrology, surface water, urban areas, vegetation);
• establishing partnerships with key environmental policy stakeholders (e.g. EU, UN) and authoritative user organisations (e.g. national ministries, statistics offices, local authorities, environmental agencies) to contribute towards international responses to global societal challenges (e.g. Sustainable Development Goals, EU Green Deal);
• enhancing data exploitation for the land applications of relevant EO missions using the latest information technologies and platforms;
• demonstrating the upscaling potential of land applications to maximise user uptake, using cloud computing environments and big data analytics technologies;
• developing and leveraging open-source algorithms and tools to stimulate innovative EO applications and facilitate the uptake of EO land applications by user communities;
• helping identify evolving user needs for future EO mission land applications (e.g. New Space, Sentinel Next Generation, Sentinel Expansion and national missions, Very High Resolution missions);
• contributing to the development of regional (Europe and neighbouring countries) initiatives to stimulate the use of EO data for the benefit of the public sector;
• supporting relevant ESA land application activities in the context of the EU Destination Earth initiative;
• helping prepare and define relevant new ESA programme elements.

Other tasks will include:

• providing support for other Data Applications Division activities (e.g. related to science, platforms, the downstream sector) and other ESA programme elements (e.g. climate, global development assistance) relevant to land applications;
• fostering communication and scientific publications on project achievements;
• contributing to ESA communication efforts promoting EO land application results, mission achievements and EO benefits for society;
• supervising and supporting the work of Young Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

Profile

 
Technical competencies
Knowledge of scientific discipline and remote sensing retrieval techniques for Land Applications
Experience in the management of R&D activities
Knowledge of international environmental policy context
Experience in the coordination and leadership of international scientific collaborations
Education
You should have a PhD in natural sciences or geophysics in relation to land dynamics, or other appropriate scientific fields.
Additional requirements
You should also have:

• Experience related to land processes including exploitation of relevant EO data (e.g. Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3, Landsat series, New Space) would be an asset
• Knowledge of the various international user communities and related environmental policies
• At least four years’ experience in related remote-sensing applications development and/or relevant research would be an asset

For a complete job description and to apply, click on “apply”.
The closing date for applications is 2 April 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)
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.
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
We are the European Space Agency. Our mission is the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of everyone. We watch over the Earth, develop and launch inspiring and unique space projects, train astronauts and push the boundaries of science and technology, seeking answers to the big questions about the Universe. We are a family of scientists, engineers and business professionals from all over Europe working together in a diverse and multinational environment. We are dedicated to united space in Europe and united Europe in space. Learn more: http://www.esa.int/