Our team and mission

The Advanced Concepts and Studies Office ensures the overall coordination, coherence and performance of programme and studies in support to the preparation of the Agency’s future activities, in line with its long-term strategic objectives and priorities. This includes discovery activities via the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) and the Advanced Concepts Team (ACT), ESA’s in-house research think tank.

ACT performs beyond-the-horizon multidisciplinary research for space, exploring new approaches to space-related R&D (including competitions, prizes and games) and research for disruptive innovation, developing an expert network in academia and providing a capability for fast first-look analysis of problems, challenges and opportunities. ACT engages in collaborative research relations with universities and research institutes, focusing on advanced research topics of potential strategic interest to the space sector and experimenting with new forms of teamwork. To this end, a multidisciplinary research environment is provided, in which young scientific and engineering post-doctoral and post-graduate researchers carry out work on emerging technologies and innovative concepts.

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Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Many breakthroughs in space have been spurred by advances in materials science. They play a critical role in almost every aspect of spacecraft design. For example, factors such as structural stability and weight can be decisive for launch capabilities and characteristics such as absorption and emission spectra in the design of solar panels and radiators. With the advent of machine-learning techniques, design methods are evolving rapidly, as the computational demand for the simulation of complex material properties has become manageable. At the same time, fabrication techniques are changing and advancing at a considerable pace. 3D printing in particular may provide fabrication options on e.g. the Moon or space stations that were not previously available. The advanced concepts team is particularly interested in exploring space-related research that utilises these advances and highlights their potential for the future of space exploration. While you are encouraged to propose your own projects relating to materials for space habitats and infrastructure, examples of current areas of interest to the team are as follows:

• Optimal in-situ material and manufacturing of lunar/ planetary surface structures and elements

• Synergies between materials science and machine learning resulting in methods and tools able to improve the overall design process

• Self-assembling systems for in-situ construction

• Application of smart materials, e.g. textiles, in adaptive structures.

You will review the current state of the art in the field and recent concepts proposed on advanced materials for space, constructing a taxonomy of approaches, techniques, ideas and designs and their evolution with available technologies. You will then focus on your own line of research and study the particular requirements of the proposal in terms of manufacturing, sustainability and cost. Depending on the nature of the project, this might also involve interfacing with the relevant academic community. You will be a member of the Advanced Concepts Team (http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/index.html) and therefore expected to contribute to the development and assessment of new concepts and technologies for space applications in close interaction with ACT researchers who work on a broad range of disciplines, including informatics, artificial intelligence, climate modelling, energy systems, fundamental physics, biomimetics, computational management science and mission analysis. On the basis of your background and interests and the needs of and the opportunities presented by the team, you will be involved in a number of other ACT initiatives (including studies conducted via the Ariadna scheme, http://www.esa.int/gsp/ACT/ariadna/index.html) and participate in reporting and communicating results of the team (internally and externally).

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Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

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

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in your final year of, a university course at Masters level in a technical or scientific discipline, specifically in materials science and engineering, or a related field.

Additional requirements

Experience with computational design, simulation and fabrication, including design software, such as Rhino, Revit, Microstation, Generative Components, Grasshopper and Dynamo, is a strong asset.

You should show a genuine interest in applied academic research, together with sound analytical skills, avid curiosity and a natural aptitude to self-motivation.

You should 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.

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.

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Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

The closing date for applications is 1 March 2021.

For more information, and applying, see this website

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