Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Our team and mission
The ESA Space Safety Programme Office takes care of all potential hazards from space or in space, which can impact human activities on Earth or again in space. The spectrum of tasks ranges from gathering the basic understanding of space hazards originating from our Sun, from man-made space debris, or from asteroids potentially colliding with the Earth. It also addresses basic approaches to mitigate these hazards and to implement space systems end-to-end in a sustainable and eco-compatible way. Moreover, several corner stone missions are underway to demonstrate basic methods of space weather forecasting, asteroid deflection and active space debris removal from orbit.
Space Weather Office is responsible for developing tools, models and applications that allow nowcasting and forecasting space weather, i.e., the enormous eruptions in the Sun that impact the environment everywhere in our solar system. When these eruptions hit the Earth, they can cause major damage in the infrastructure on the surface, damage satellites and endanger the health of the astronauts in space. Geomagnetic storms triggered by the solar events can cause blackouts in power grids, disturb satellite navigation and communication, disturb aviation, transport, and many other functions that we are used to in our daily life. Energetic particles from the solar events can also damage space probes that we have sent to other planets in the solar system. This is why Space Weather Office is developing space weather forecasting capability for other planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. Space Weather Office is also responsible for development and implementation of the satellite missions for space weather monitoring to make the space weather services to the users possible.
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Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
The ESA Space Weather Office works for the protection of our life and technology from hazards originated in space, and in particular from the energetic activity continuously emitted by the Sun. We study the vulnerabilities of our citizens, our industry, and our economy to such hazards, and we propose the tangible means to minimize our exposure. These include the building of new spacecraft, new ground observatories, new data processes, and new services, necessary to respond to the needs of our end users and the general public.
Space Weather is a domain that makes continuous use of the latest discoveries in solar physics, heliophysics, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric physics plasma physics, and many other scientific sub-domains of space sciences. But it also involves the latest technological developments in computer science, data analytics, spacecraft technology, econometrics, optics, electronics, among many others. Space Weather is a growing sector in academia and industry that makes use of the latest scientific and technological developments.
In this project you will support the strategic goals of the ESA Space Weather Office by performing the three following tasks:
* Producing a mathematical/statistical model of the impacts of space weather in the European economy, which will be based on the results of previous studies, and on an initial prototype provided by the Agency. You will implement such model into a professionally designed and suitable computer system. The outcome of this activity may be used to influence the strategic choices by the ESA Space Weather Office for the years to come.
* Studying the complex dynamics governing the tightly coupled system connecting the magnetosphere, the ionosphere, the plasmasphere, the radiation belts, and the plasmasphere. The Agency will provide access and computer resources to you to perform numerical studies of this coupling. You will design and propose an approach for the interconnection of different computer models that can address this complex physical system. To this end, you will study, understand, and make use of the Virtual Space Weather Modelling Centre. This study will help the ESA Space Weather Office to better understand the effects of Space Weather in our technology on the ground and in the near-Earth space.
* Evaluating multiple scenarios for the long-term archiving of space weather data and products. You will assess the existing solutions provided by the Agency and other external providers along with recommendations provided by the existing network of service providers for long term data and product preservation. You will perform an analysis of the archive needs for the products in the ESA Space Weather portal that require such service. You will then propose a technical plan and roadmap for implementation of the most promising target archive solution(s).
This is a far-reaching project that can have a direct impact on the work done by the ESA Space Weather Office. Your work will be often referenced in the years to come. This is an opportunity to make a difference in a real-world application.
The ESA Space Weather Office invites all candidates with strategic thinking, creativity, and initiative, to provide a thoughtful and tailored motivation letter for this ESA Graduate Trainee position.
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 applied mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, systems engineering, aerospace engineering, or physics.
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.
A solid background in mathematics, statistics, and programming is required.
Knowledge of a statistical software or a programming language would be 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
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.