Internal Research Fellow in Earth Observation for Earth System Science – Deadline 07 December 2022

Our team and mission

Reporting to  the Head of the Science Section in the Data Applications Division within the Science, Applications and Climate Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, you will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

The Science Section is a dynamic R&D team leading EO research and Earth system science activities, in partnership with European and international scientific groups. Visit our web site for an overview of our activities:  https://eo4society.esa.int/communities/scientists/

You will be part of the Earth System Science Hub a new science facility in ESA and center for networking and scientific collaboration among world-class researchers in ESA Member States (MS) and worldwide. The Hub will bring together young and senior scientists of different disciplines in Earth Observation and Earth System Science to contribute to develop the next generation of EO products and jointly address some of the major science challenges of this decade.

The Hub will also contribute to develop a solid scientific basis for the implementation and evolution of “Digital Twin Earth” (an advanced high-resolution replica of our planet, its processes and its interactions with human activities and ecosystems).

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will be responsible for different activities including:

• Undertaking advanced research activities addressing major observational gaps and scientific priorities in EO and Earth system science. Research will cover a wide range of innovative topics from the development of novel methods, algorithms and EO products to innovative Earth system and climate research.
• Contribute to develop an advanced reconstruction of the Earth system establishing a solid scientific basis for the implementation and evolution of Digital Twin Earth, by undertaking collaborative research across domains in collaboration with ESA experts and international scientists and science teams.
• Support the definition, technical supervision and coordination of scientific exploitation projects carried out by external teams of experts and scientists, in all areas of EO research and Earth system science.
• Maintain a continuous dialogue with the scientific communities, including major international programmes and initiatives and partner space agencies (e.g., NASA) preparation of the scientific agenda driving future ESA activities and plans.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As Research Fellow, you will be involved in the scientific activities of the Science Section within one of the following thematic priorities:

• Hydrology and water cycle research: advancing the use of EO for hydrology and water cycle research from global to basin scales with special focus on exploring and exploiting the novel capacity offered by existing and coming Sentinel missions. Priorities include: e.g., novel high resolution products (precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture), water discharge, ground water storage, high-resolution hydrological modelling, global water cycle analysis, hydro-climatic extremes, human impacts in water cycle.
• Terrestrial carbon cycle: enhancing our capacity to observe, quantify and understand the terrestrial carbon cycle, its sensitivity to climate change and its interactions with human activities and land use (e.g., agriculture, forestry, energy, water consumption). Activities shall particularly focus on synergistic use of novel capabilities (e.g., Copernicus Sentinels, FLEX, BIOMASS, novel national and international missions). The candidate will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of ESA carbon science cluster: carbon scienceclusters.esa.int
• Biodiversity: Advancing in the development of a new generation of biodiversity observation products with a particular focus on the natural and anthropogenic pressures on terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (including climate change), the integrity and resilience of vulnerable ecosystems, and the ecological processes of ecosystem degradation and restoration. The candidate will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of new ESA Biodiversity science cluster: biodiversitysciencecluster.esa.int
• Ocean science: with focus on exploiting the latest advances in EO satellite technology for enhancing our observation capacity and fundamental scientific understanding of the ocean’s role in the Earth and climate system. Priorities include: e.g., ocean carbon cycle, ocean extremes, coastal processes, Polar oceans, ocean health and marine biology and ecosystems. The candidate will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of the activities of the ESA Ocean science cluster: oceansciencecluster.esa.int
• Polar science and cryosphere research: with focus on advancing our EO-based capacity to observe, understand and predict the onset and amplitude of changes in Polar regions, its associated processes and potential impacts: ice sheets, glaciers and ice caps dynamics, ice shelves-ocean-atmosphere interactions, snow processes and SMB, active lakes and sub-subface processes, permafrost, sea-ice and polar ocean studies. The candidate will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of the activities of the ESA Polar science cluster: polarsciencecluster.esa.int
• Atmosphere research: Advancing EO-based atmospheric observations from existing and heritage missions (e.g., Sentinel-5p, Aeolus, GOME, GOME-2, SCIAMACHY, GOMOS, MIPAS) and its use in atmospheric research and Earth system science. Special attention will be given to new missions such as EarthCARE or FLEX. Priorities include CO2, CH4 and other GHGs, aerosols and clouds interactions, high-resolution air quality and preparation of future missions, e.g. CO2M, Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5, Altius and FORUM are also in focus. The candidate will also contribute to the coordination and implementation of the activities of the ESA Atmosphere science cluster: atmospheresciencecluster.esa.int.

You shall indicate in the proposal the preferred Theme.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge relevant to the field of research
• Research/publication record
• Ability to conduct research autonomously
• Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities
• Ability to gather and share relevant information
• General interest in space and space research

Behavioural competencies

Education

A PhD in physics, engineering or Earth system science with research experience and peer-reviewed publications in relevant topics for the fields of research proposed is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have :

• proven research experience based on the use of relevant satellite measurements.
• science software development experience and programming skills are also required.
• additional experience in modelling will be an asset.
• good analytical and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment in an autonomous manner.

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.