Our team and mission

The Wave Interaction and Propagation Section covers the understanding of the behaviour of electromagnetic waves (from a few megahertz to optical wavelengths) in a variety of media – both natural and man-made – and environmental conditions, as well as on the application of this understanding to the development and exploitation of space systems. The section performs modelling, data analysis and algorithmic development, and undertakes experimental validation of models and algorithms. It contributes to the end-to-end performance assessment of space missions.

More specifically:

• Wave propagation relevant to space communications, navigation and remote sensing;
• Wave interaction for active, passive and combined remote sensing of ocean, land and atmosphere of the Earth and other planets;
• In-situ characterization of the interaction/propagation environment;
• Data processing and data science techniques, simulation and performance evaluation tools.

For what concerns:

• Modelling and experimental validation;
• Associated processing, mitigation, retrieval, correction and calibration algorithms for product generation. For remote sensing this includes algorithmic developments relevant to Lvl1 and Lvl2 ground processing;
• For remote sensing, design and validation of on-board processing functions/algorithms for payload data products, image processing and optical payload data compression;
• Related end-to-end performance assessment, including contribution to product quality monitoring and improvement.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As part of the Wave Interaction and Propagation Section, you will contribute to consolidating the modelling, processing and performance assessment of optically based remote sensing or telecom missions.

Examples of fields of investigation for this Traineeship include:

• Developing a software tool allowing to trace, compute and assess the impact of uncertainties of Level 1b data products (calibrated physical observations) acquired by hyperspectral imagers used in Earth Observation (such as the upcoming CHIME mission);
• Supporting the exploitation of airborne measurement campaigns involving hyperspectral imagers for the understanding of the performance of Level 2 (retrieved environment variables) data processing algorithms and for their potential improvement;
• Supporting the validation of an Image Simulator for Earth Observation Optical sensors which aims at simulating representative image products in early phases of future Earth Observation missions as well as in development phases of current Earth Observation missions. Operate this simulator for a specific mission use case;
• Modelling the propagation characteristics of optical communication systems with a focus on optical atmospheric turbulence.

You will be offered a task along the lines of those listed above. Your background will be duly considered when assigning the task. The nature of the work can be adapted to your skills but will typically involve some model development combined with the analysis of datasets (Earth observation, propagation, outputs of existing simulation or data processing software). Activities will also typically involve some prototype software development (physical simulation, post processing, …)

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/engineering discipline such as optics, wave propagation or remote sensing.

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.

Software programming experience will be considered 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.