In support of ESA’s Human Spaceflight Directorate at ESTEC we are looking for: Support to Science Operations

Under this work package the candidate shall provide support to the overall coordination of space experimentation per mission increment. She/He will support engineering reviews to ensure scientific performance and the optimization of operational scenarios.

Task Description:

• Supporting the development of a prioritized ESA experimental plan for the International Space Station (ISS) based on inputs regarding scientific quality, technical feasibility and resource availability;
• Support the interface with the project scientists / science discipline coordinators in the Science and Applications Division (HSF-US) in monitoring the scientific quality and technical maturity of experiments;
• Participating in regular meetings between science teams, ESA science, ESA hardware developers and ESA integration representatives (Investigators Working Groups);
• Participating in meetings and reviews led by the ESA Payloads and Platform Division (HSF-UP), to ensure that science objectives are properly implemented during experimental hardware design and development;
• Supporting the mission integration phase led by the ESA Payload Integration and Operations Division (HSF-UO), by continuously assessing the potential impact(s) to the science / utilisation objectives for the planned activities;
• Book-keeping of the consolidated ESA science / utilisation requirements during mission integration and mission / flight execution phases;
• Monitoring on-console activities during the in-flight execution phase to properly assess the progress of the on-going experimental investigations;
• Coordinating collection of science post-flight reports, and supporting the dissemination effort of ESA utilisation achievements;
• Maintaining the HSF Experiment Database;
• Supporting the reporting to ESA’s Advisory Bodies and Programme Board as Appropriate.

Skills and Experience:

• A comprehensive scientific background in a relevant discipline (Biology, Medicine, Physics, Chemistry) coupled with a pro-active approach to support teams of scientists in the implementation of their experimental projects;
• Experience in space engineering or space operations would be an asset;
• PhD or Engineering degree in one of the Physical or Life sciences disciplines;
• Some experience in microgravity research and/or experimentation would be an asset;
• Ability to successfully interface with scientists, industrialists and programme managers;
• Fluent in English; knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

Starting date: May 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter

An exciting international working environment in a highly innovative and motivated team awaits you!

HE Space Operations is an international human resources company specialised in the space market. We have been providing consultancy services in space engineering and business administration for over 25 years. We generally work directly on-site with our principal customers such as the European Space Agency and EADS Astrium.