DirecciónEUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Young Graduate Trainee in Environmental Controland Life Support Systems Engineering
Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
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.
This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Our team and mission
The Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section within the Mechatronics and Optics Division focuses on instrumentation development for microgravity experiments and exploration, Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLS) design, engineering, and verification and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU). It provides support to projects, preparatory programmes, and technology programmes. Within this framework, the Life Support and Physical Sciences Instrumentation Section is, among other things, in charge of the development of advanced Life Support Systems, ISRU and supporting operational activities in human spaceflight, as well as payload development for microgravity and exploration activities.
In the section, MELiSSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) is the European project for circular Life Support Systems. Inspired by terrestrial ecosystems, it was established to gain knowledge on regenerative systems, aiming at the highest degree of autonomy in space and consequently at producing food, water, and oxygen from mission wastes. Led by ESA and based on the collaboration of a large European industrial and academic consortium, the MELiSSA project is a pioneering effort and has contributed significantly to our understanding of how transformation processes can be integrated into circular systems. MELiSSA is the ultimate example of circular economy and provides as well circular solutions for our life on Earth.
You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int
For more information: https://www.melissafoundation.org/
Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
Within the MELiSSA Project, your task and responsibilities will include:
- Contributing to R&D activities in the field of simulation and modelling of circular and complex systems
- Contributing to R&D activities in the field of Life Support Systems evaluation (ie., Advanced Life Support System Evaluator methodology) including Life Support Systems sizing and trade-off analyses
- Providing technical support in feasibility and Concurrent Design studies related to future exploration missions (e.g., Deep space habitat)
- Providing technical support to and supervision of Master student projects performed in the frame of ESA_Lab@
- Providing technical support to terrestrial technology transfer activities in the field of circular systems
- Interfacing with the partners of the MELiSSA consortium when necessary
- Supporting the MELiSSA Project day-to-day activities when necessary
- Monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in the field of regenerative and circular Life Support Systems
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.
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.
An additional degree in Bioprocess Engineering or Organic Chemistry would be an asset.
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.
During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme
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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus 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 first be given to candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
