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Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Product Assurance / ESA Mission Classification

Job Requisition ID: 19623

Date Posted: 11 December 2025

Closing Date: 8 January 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: External Only

Type of Appointment : Internal Research Fellow

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

You will be assigned as Product Assurance and Safety (PA&S) Internal Research Fellow in the Quality and PA (Product Assurance) Management Division, Quality Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Division provides PA&S functional support to ESA projects and technology developments and is also responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of product assurance engineering and management programmes. It carries out technological research and development (R&D) in the fields of PA management, techniques, methodologies and tools. It collaborates in standardisation and training activities. The Division is also the focal point for the ESA Mission Classification scheme, and you will be asked to provide specific support to the Head of Division on this topic.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Your tasks and responsibilities will be to familiarise yourself with PA processes and disciplines while, at least during the first one or two years, providing specific and extensive support to the Mission Classification activities.

The overall PA discipline will include:

• becoming familiar with PA/QA practices, methodologies and disciplines (PA/QA, RAMS (reliability, availability, maintainability and safety), software PA, EEE components, and materials and processes) by shadowing as well as receiving coaching and tutoring from one of our Senior PA Engineers. You will perform this task in parallel to specific Mission Classification activities described below.
• developing your knowledge of ECSS (European Coordination for Space Standards) and your understanding of the ECSS Next Generation (ECSS NG) requirements during this period.

Regarding the support for ESA Mission Classification, you will work directly with the Head of Division, and your tasks will include:

• becoming familiar with the various classes of mission and the criteria used to classify a mission.
• supporting the yearly/bi-yearly maintenance of the mission classification PA requirements and the associated PA requirements document templates for each class of mission.
• supporting, when feasible, the adaptation of the ECSS NG to the ESA Mission Classification pre- tailoring activity (both for PA/QA and engineering disciplines) and updating pre-tailoring statistics accordingly.
• actively contributing to the preparation of presentations and other communication media to promote ESA Mission Classification within the Agency, as well as with ESA Member States and official bodies, along with ESA industrial partners.
• actively contributing to the preparation of other strategy/decision papers and reports, as well as information notes or other reporting media.
• preparing training materials and providing training within the Agency as well as to industry and other official bodies (ESA delegations, national space agencies, etc.)

Technical competencies

Knowledge relevant to the field of research

Research/publication record

Ability to conduct research autonomously

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Ability to gather and share relevant information

General interest in space and space research

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:

PhD in engineering (space engineering in particular) and/or a PA discipline.

Additional requirements

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than 5 pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.

You should have:

• strong experience in the technical domains covered by the position.
• soncrete presentation, training and communication skills

You should also have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

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.

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 via email at .

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

The information published on ESA's careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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.