Call for ESA HRE Research Fellows (Postdocs) is opened
This call is for ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration
ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship (RF) programme offers early-career scientists the possibility to carry out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. Job offer is published on ESA career web page.
Research Fellowships in Human and Robotic Exploration specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration programme [link to terrae novae].
- Scope of the Research Fellowship
ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists the possibility to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology. ESA RFs provide a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of space science, and experience first-hand how ESA works with (scientific) communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from our missions and activities.
Research Fellowships in HRE specifically offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration programme in the fields of Human Exploration Science, Biology, Physical, and Moon and Mars Sciences. Targeted topic for this call are listed in the table below.
2. Appointment
ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the possibility to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines related to Human and Robotic Exploration science, applications or technology. ESA Fellowships provide a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of Exploration science, and experience first-hand how ESA works with communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from our missions.
Duration: Appointments are for a maximum of three years.
The initial project is for two years. An extension for a third year requires a dedicated proposal and is granted if considered relevant.
Location: Research Fellowships at HRE can be located in either ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands), EAC (Cologne, Germany) or ECSAT (Harwell, UK).
3. Application process
The JRs will not be coupled to a specific topic. Within the HRE Directorate, all independent proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of HRE missions are welcomed. The applicant should define a research proposal linked to HRE activities and in line with the HRE Explore 2024 strategy [link to terrae novae]. Job offers and application process is published on ESA career web page.
3.1 Who can apply
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.
Applicants should have recently completed, or be close to completing their PhD in a technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates with up to five years of experience after their PhD.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from female scientists are encouraged.
3.2 How to apply
There is a single opening for all offered positions. There are no pre-defined projects, applicants are invited to prepare an independent research proposal of a project based on their interests and expertise. To apply, you will have to use the interface operated by ESA Human Resources that will become available with the official call.
All ESA vacancy notices can be seen under: ESA career web page.
Required application Materials:
Four separate documents will need to be uploaded:
- A motivation letter;
- Your CV
- A list of publications. This needs to be separate from the CV. For publications that are not first-authored, please indicate the individual contribution.
- A research proposal (4 pages maximum including any figures or tables, minimum font size 11pt). It is expected to include sections outlining (1) the research rationale, (2) impact and past achievements, (3) research plans for the fellowship (with rough time line), (4) synergies with mission-related activities and scientists at ESA.
Further information useful to be prepared for the online application form are the contact information of three persons willing to provide references and a prioritised list of one or more establishments that you would like to join (EAC, ESTEC, ECSAT). Note that at the time of application, reference letters are not required, only the contact information of three persons.
The review committee will consist of members with diverse areas of expertise. Therefore the application should be written for a general audience of scientists. The application will be evaluated with respect to scientific excellence of the candidate (past achievements), proposed research at ESA (feasibility, future impact), and synergies with existing ESA-HRE research activities at the selected site.
3.3 What happens after applying?
Inquiries regarding the application process can be sent at any time to the fellowship coordinator.
- Short-listed candidates will be invited to a short online interview.
- Offers are expected to be made end 2024 /early 2025.
3.4 Conditions and benefit
For terms and conditions we refer to the [Link General Description].
| Disciplines | Themes | HRE activities and missions related to the themes |
| Human Exploration | Deep Venous Thrombosis: literature review of data, research on risk factors and mitigation strategies [Top Priority for human research] | Ground-based Facilities, Space analogues (e.g. bedrest or dry immersion), ISS, Gateway |
| Countermeasures to mitigate impact of space-associated risks to crew health and performance | Ground-based Facilities, Space analogues (bedrest, dry immersion, isolation studies, Concordia research station, etc.), ISS, Gateway | |
| Behavioural health and mental well-being of crew | Isolation and confinement studies, ISS, Gateway | |
| Cross discipline | Space Habitation, including Biological Life Support Systems | Ground-based Facilities, Space analogues (bedrest, dry immersion, isolation studies, Concordia research station, etc.), ISS, Gateway |
| Advanced biological models and applied tissue engineering (e.g., synthetic biology, organoids, 3D bioprinting) | Ground-Based Facilities, IBPER (ground accelerator) facilities, ISS, Gateway | |
| Radiation Biology | Ground-Based Facilities, IBPER (ground accelerator) facilities, ISS, Gateway | |
| Physical sciences | Fundamental physics in space: measurements of time and gravity, High energy cosmic ray and atmosphere physics | ACES, ISOC, Gravitational waves detector on the Moon ASIM, EUSO, other ISS payloads |
| Physical sciences | Advanced manufacturing, solidification in reduced gravity and Material sciences, Fluid , soft matter and plasma physics. | EML, MSL, Transparent alloys, X-ray facility , Soft Matter Dynamics, PK4 |
| Moon science | Mapping and reporting potential lunar resources | PROSPECT, EMS, Small missions call. |
| Moon science | The integrated environment on and around the Moon and its effects | ERSA, IDA, HADES, NILS, ASTERIA |
| Mars science | TGO Science Exploitation: -Radio occultation (MEX-TGO or TGO-Earth) -Hydrated mineral mapping for future In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) -Surface characterization for future landing sites | Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) |
| Mars Science | Preparatory orbital or analogue science for the Rosalind Franklin Mission (RFM) | Rosalind Franklin Mission (RFM) |
| Mars science | Applying machine-learning to the analyses of Mars analogue or extraterrestrial materials with a focus on X-ray computed tomography and/or life detection data reduction | Mars Sample Return (MSR) |
| In Situ Resource Utilisation | Molten salt electrolysis and associated processes for reduction of lunar regolith to produce oxygen and metals. | ESA ISRU ground based research laboratories in preparation for and ISRU Pilot Plant |
| Studies and Technologies | Moon/Mars Analogues Development and Solar System Analogues Studies: Sample Preparation, Curation & Characterisation | VULCAN (Top Priority for S & T) |
| Shielding & Protection from Radiations (primarily artificial & natural) for Systems and Crews | Moon & Mars (Top Priority for S & T) | |
| Lunar Surface Construction Techniques Assessment and Demonstration for LUNA External Elements | LUNA (Second Priority for S & T) | |
| European Analogues Landscape: Key Concepts Definition and Standardisation, Preparation for Returned Samples: Extraterrestrial Sample Curation & Characterisation | VULCAN (Tertiary Priority for S & T) | |
| Scientific Surface Activities Preparation, Tools and Concepts of Operations in the LUNA Facility, Lunar Navigation and Communications Simulation in LUNA | LUNA (Tertiary Priority for S & T) | |
| Generating Synthetic Data for AI Training using VR | Spaceships (Tertiary Priority for S & T) |