This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Planetary Protection and Sample Curation Engineer in the Independent Safety Office, Quality Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

• The Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, maintenance and certification of compliance with ESA policies, requirements and standards, as well as support to ESA projects in relation to:
• human spaceflight safety;
• space debris mitigation;
• re-entry safety;
• nuclear safety for applications in space;
• planetary protection.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include supporting the Planetary Protection Officer in:

planetary protection:

• Coordinating and interacting with relevant ESA stakeholders, international partners, space agencies and international bodies for the definition of planetary protection regulations, requirements and processes;
• Providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects concerning compliance of technical requirements relating to planetary protection;
• Fostering and supporting the maintenance and development of ECSS/ESSB standards relating to planetary protection;
• Contributing to the definition of planetary protection-related technology development requirements and work plans for ESA’s technology programmes;
• Ensuring dissemination of information and the transfer of knowledge across the Agency in relation to planetary protection.

sample curation:

• Leading the creation of sample curation as a new capability in Europe;
• Developing sample curation protocols, hardware and facilities for returned or analogue samples;
• Initiating and managing R&D activities in curation;
• Providing support to ongoing sample return missions with ESA involvement in coordination with ESA programmes;
• Establishing end-to-end solutions to demonstrate coordination capability among European countries and institutions;
• Advising on requirements for sample curation facilities, relating for example to returned samples, analogue samples and simulants, in coordination with the relevant programme directorate;
• Advising on sample management processes for samples and collections as needed, in coordination with the relevant programme directorate and in collaboration with international partners.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Demonstrated experience of working with returned samples and sample curation approaches for extraterrestrial samples

Experience in the domain of planetary protection, sample curation and related regulatory frameworks

Knowledge of the ESA and ECSS planetary protection requirements and their implementation

Knowledge of space hardware

Experience in managing independent safety review processes involving diverse stakeholders

Experience in supporting policy development and implementation

A proven track record of working in teams with government agency representatives and international partners

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 and professional experience

A master”s degree in engineering, geology, astrobiology or another closely related discipline is required for this post, together with 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Experience with extraterrestrial sample curation, including sample handling and storage protocols and sample allocation.

• Experience with extraterrestrial and geological sample characterisation, including sample preparation, destructive and non-destructive sample analysis techniques and their technical and sample requirements.
• Experience with cleanroom operations and cleanroom contamination control procedures and monitoring.
• Understanding of sample contamination, contamination sources, and the effects of contamination on hardware and sample integrity.
• Demonstrated ability in bridging science and engineering through effective collaboration with technical scientific and engineering teams.
• Knowledge of the activities and priorities of the European Space Agency relating to the relevant fields of expertise.
• Knowledge of national activities and priorities of various Member and Participating States relating to the relevant fields of expertise.
• 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.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

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 are only 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, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.

Level of Education: Master Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Organization: European Space Agency