Project Scientist

About the position

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to “empower Europe to lead space science”. The Office of Science Engagement and Oversight (SCI-E) oversees the scientific content of the Science programme and provides scientific expertise to Science missions, across all phases, from studies to operations and beyond. The Office also manages engagement, communication and education efforts for the Directorate of Science, with the aim of ensuring that external stakeholders are informed, engaged and inspired. In this role, you will serve as the ESA Project Scientist and Science Operations Scientist for the Roman Space Telescope within SCI-E, joining the ESA Office at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, USA. You will actively engage with the ESA astronomical community and the general public to ensure the mission remains prominent and visible in Europe. Your primary objective will be to maximise the scientific return from the mission throughout all phases, while adhering to technical, financial, programmatic and safety constraints. To achieve this, you will collaborate closely with the Science Operations Development Division at ESA to identify science operations concepts that support the European scientific community. Occasionally, you may be asked to advise ESA management in the areas of your scientific competence and support the future activities of the Science programme, such as studies/assessments of future missions or participation in reviews.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the appointment and participation of ESA scientific community representatives on Roman Science committees and teams
• Promoting Roman to the European scientific community, coordinating with the Roman Mission Office
• Supporting the promotion of European participation in Roman at conferences, by electronic means and via the broader Directorate/Agency outreach and education activities
• Preparing and disseminating relevant scientific documentation and reporting to ESA management and advisory bodies when required
• Participating in the activities of the Roman science operations facility at the Space Telescope Science Institute
• Proposing science operations concept scenarios to support the European scientific community, in particular identifying synergies with Euclid, with the aim of maximising scientific opportunities, always within programmatic constraints
• Implementing the approved elements including leading the design, testing and transition to operations

Requirements

• A PhD in astronomy, astrophysics, physics or a related field
• Active researcher in a relevant field of space science
• Knowledge and experience of scientific space missions and payloads
• Experience in coordinating the scientific community and managing multiple interfaces at international level
• Experience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general public
• Experience in defining, setting up and/or operating space science projects

Nice-to-haves

• A good understanding of the European and worldwide space science context
• Experience in large scale astronomical surveys
• Management of scientific teams and coordinating the scientific community

Benefits

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness initiatives
• Support for individuals with disabilities
• Equal opportunity employer