Internal Research Fellow

Internal Research Fellow (Post-Doctoral) in Disruptive Innovation for Green and Sustainable Future

**Job Requisition ID**:18688**Date Posted**:30 September 2024**Closing Date**:21 October 2024 23:59 CET/CEST**Publication**:External Only**Type of Contract**:Internal Research Fellow**Directorate**:
**Workplace**:Frascati, IT**Grade Band**:F2 - F2

**Location**
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy**Our team and mission**
Reporting to the Head of the Explore Office in the ESA Φ-lab, you will work in close cooperation with other staff in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

**Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship**
This fellowship aims to explore the use of space and ground-based EO products integrated with disruptive technologies to address green solutions for a sustainable future. For example, you will deploy AI-automated algorithms to:

- identify suitable locations for new green energy facilities (such as on/offshore wind farms and solar power plants);
- forecast short-range renewable energy production for a hybrid energy system approach;
- quantify the uncertainty of low-cost real-time air sensing monitors;
- collect and harmonise data for operation in an intelligent digital system (digital twin);
- detect and quantify methane leakages from ‘institutional’ and ‘New Space’ satellite missions to monitor methane and other greenhouse gas emissions;
- detect natural disasters (such as wildfire ignition points and floods) through human sensor social networks (multimodal crowd sourcing and satellite imagery).
In particular, you will:

- undertake advanced research activities, exploring and expanding the use of disruptive/transformative innovation (AI, ML, quantum computing, edge computing, etc.) to develop new frameworks and solutions. Your research can cover a wide range of innovative topics, from the development of novel methods, algorithms and ML iterative pipelines to high-level products;
- support the definition and implementation of rapid prototyping activities, research sprints and open challenges of innovative EO solutions addressing upcoming lab activities and wider strategy;
- engage with the innovation ecosystem to promote the uptake of new techniques and capture the latest developments in EO and disruptive/transformative innovation;
- publish the research project outcomes in high-impact journals;
- drive collaboration within the Φ-lab community and ESA internal teams to promote the uptake of these new techniques and solutions;
- contribute to the Φ-lab’s strategy, activities and outreach on disruptive technologies for EO;
- maintain a continuous dialogue with the scientific community, including major international programmes and initiatives in the fields of AI, ML, quantum computing and edge computing;
- support the Φ-lab research network of Young Graduate Trainees, national trainees, interns and visiting researchers, as applicable;
- ensure solid scientific content for a green and sustainable future.

**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
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

**Education**

**Additional requirements**
You should also have:

- sound knowledge of themes of interest, such as EO, AI, ML, quantum computing, ICT revolution technologies in general and edge computing
- the ability to work in a multicultural environment as part of a team
- experience with one or more general purpose programming languages (e.g. Python) and with general purpose deep learning frameworks (e.g. Tensorflow or PyTorch)
- the ability to share knowledge with other ESA units
- 1) What are the green solutions for a sustainable future that you would like to address?
2) What is your chosen disruptive technology?
3) Why is this research proposal important to society?
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.
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.

**Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness**-
**Important Information and Disclaimer**- 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.**Nationality and La