Our team and mission

As a Young Graduate Trainee (YGT), you will join the Earth and Mission Science Division of the Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department within the Earth Observation Programmes (EOP) Directorate. You will also work in close cooperation with colleagues from other Departments within the EOP Directorate, notably the Future Missions and Instruments Division.

The Earth and Mission Science Division is a team of scientists coordinating research and development activities, in partnership with European and broader international academia and industry.

We aim at advancing Earth Observation and Earth system science, mostly in the context of developing future space missions, novel applications, and contributing towards maximising the science impact of future mission candidates and missions in implementation. Our core responsibility is to develop the scientific and user-related aspects of future Earth Observation satellite missions. Tasks include establishing and maintaining mission requirements, as well as scientific studies, research, and field campaigns in support of a wide range of research missions (Earth Explorers and Missions of Opportunity) and operational missions (Copernicus Sentinels, Earth Watch and Meteorology missions), from their early phases (“ideas”) through implementation to mission operation.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

In the FutureEO Programme, two Earth Explorer 11 (EE11) candidate missions, CAIRT and WIVERN, were recently selected for Phase A feasibility studies by ESA Member States after the October 2023 User Consultation Meeting. You will join ESA’s WIVERN team to support the mission definition activities and assessment of the scientific feasibility and impact of the mission.

The primary aim of the WIVERN mission is to measure 1) winds in cloudy regions, and 2) clouds and precipitation properties. Having a W-band conically scanning radar on board, we would like to explore the suitability of WIVERN for applications beyond its primary mission focus.

Two potential topics are identified for the YGT Research:

• WIVERN synergy with the Copernicus Imaging Radiometer Mission (CIMR): This research aims to enhance measurements and characterisation of surface ice by investigating the combined use of WIVERN and CIMR datasets.
• WIVERN synergy with Geostationary VIS/IR Satellites: This research involves assessing the joint utilisation of WIVERN data and geostationary VIS/IR observations for developing atmospheric synergy products. The goal is to quantify convective anvil cloud ice mass by leveraging WIVERN’s Ice Water Path products and geostationary VIS/IR observations.

During the Phase A studies, we will be exploring the potential of WIVERN in these areas. The objective is to explore the combination and synergy of WIVERN’s data with that of other satellites. This exploratory research aims to uncover how combining datasets may add value and potentially improve the accuracy of observations. Should these studies show promise, they will significantly increase the profile of WIVERN, making it a multi-purpose satellite, and significantly broadening its scientific promise.

Your specific tasks will include:

• Exploring simulated data from the WIVERN mission simulator.
• Exploring simulated data from other identified mission simulators.
• Investigate potential synergies between these data from multi-sources.
• Combining test simulated WIVERN observations with collocated test data from different satellite missions
• Employing Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approaches for exploring the combined
• benefits of the merged multi-mission datasets
• Evaluating how the combination of WIVERN with other datasets improves overall mission performances.

You will actively participate in Mission Advisory Group and Study meetings, gaining valuable insights and feedback on their work from the Members and WIVERN Lead Investigators. The WIVERN science team will provide the necessary data, giving you hands-on experience to explore and work with the data directly. You’ll have the flexibility to use any open source (preferably Python) programming language of your choice for this study.

In summary, your YGT experience is your chance to explore, and apply cool technology in the world of satellite research, all while contributing to European progress in Earth Observation based science.

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 a relevant scientific or technical discipline, e.g., Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, or Computer Science

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.

You should also have:

• Good knowledge and/or experience in (applied) physics, geophysics, atmospheric science, or mathematics, and/or remote sensing using relevant (microwave/optical) instrumentation is considered an asset.
• Experience with scientific programming/computing, and familiarity with software (e.g., Python/Matlab) coding best practice are considered essential.

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.