Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

The Human Exploration Group manages the Agency’s cross-cutting human spaceflight activities in support of all destinations.

The Leader of the Human Exploration Enabling Science Team reports hierarchically to the Leader of the Human Exploration Group and functionally to the Directorate’s Chief Exploration Scientist.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• acting as the primary scientific advisor on Life Sciences (Human Research and Biology) to the Chief Scientist, the Human Exploration Group Leader and relevant Agency bodies;
• coordinating closely with HRE-H, and in particular HRE-HM, to ensure scientific activities address operational priorities;
• defining within Explore2040 the strategic priorities for Life Sciences (Human Research and Biology) in coordination with HRE-S and HRE-F;
• defining and delivering to schedule and budget human and biology science across all HRE destinations for long-duration human habitation, as well as human-related ground-based R&D on all platforms/analogues that are essential for exploration preparation;
• leading the definition and selection of scientific activities and payloads relating to Human Exploration Science across destinations and platforms in coordination with the Human Exploration Group Leader and HRE-S;
• selecting and managing science teams required to support and implement Human Exploration Science activities;
• managing the preparation and dissemination of science data products in coordination with HRE-SD;
• engaging with the science community, ESA’s science advisory structure and Member States for all Human Exploration Science topics;
• supporting other teams within the Directorate in engaging with international partners to prepare and coordinate cooperative activities;
• managing the delegated budget from HRE-S assigned to Human Exploration Science activities;
• defining the Human Exploration mission-specific science benefits and messaging in coordination with HRE-S, HRE-F, and ESA Corporate Communication;
• providing executive secretariat services to the relevant working group(s) of the ESA science advisory structure, notably the Life Sciences Working Group or its successor.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

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

A master’s degree is required for this post.
A PhD in a relevant domain is considered an asset.

Additional requirements

• An understanding of ESA’s exploration roadmap and strategic priorities;
• Experience in science communication and public outreach;
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within a team;
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity and to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

• The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts;
• The ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• A strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.