Liaison Scientist

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  or ESAC (Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid) with preference for ESTEC.

Description

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 Science Communication and Education Section (SCI-EC) in the Science Engagement and Oversight Office (SCI-E) is responsible for defining and implementing the Communication and Education Strategy for the European Space Agency’s Directorate of Science. It leverages the scientific output of all space science missions with the aim of ensuring that a wide range of stakeholders (advisory bodies, media, scientists, general public and future generations) are informed, engaged and inspired.

In this role, you will report to the Head of the Science Communication and Education Section and will be responsible for promoting and communicating ESA’s Science Programme across Member States’ scientific communities in support of the ESA Science Communication Strategy. You will also work closely with Project Scientists within the Science Engagement and Oversight Office.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• working with the Head of the Science Communication and Education Section on the development of the ESA Science Communication Strategy vis-à-vis scientific communities and the general public;
• developing and implementing the ESA Science Programme Communication Strategy related to Member States’ scientific communities;
• liaising with the ESA Project Scientists from the Directorate of Science to understand their community-specific interests and to support them in establishing   a wider communication effort among those communities;
• organising Directorate of Science Town Halls aimed at European and international scientific communities;
• overseeing the monthly ESA Science Newsletter which informs European scientists about opportunities to engage with ESA science and its missions;
• defining and coordinating content aimed at scientific communities in our dedicated social media channels;
• providing communication support for scientific community events, such as coordination of ESA science booths and special sessions at large conferences or workshops;
• identifying new opportunities to promote the use of ESA science communication material to wider scientific communities.  

Technical Competencies

A background in one or more of the following domains: solar systems science, astrophysics and/or space scienceDemonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with stakeholders from various scientific institutes and affiliated groups Experience in Science CommunicationExperience in promoting science to the wider scientific community and general publicExperience in coordinating scientific teams or groups around communication or educational activities

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

A PhD in a relevant area of science (such as astronomy, planetary science or heliophysics) is required for the post.

Additional Requirements

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English are required. Fluency in Spanish, German, French, Italian or Dutch would be an additional asset.
• Any of the following would be desirable:
• Additional qualifications in science communication;
• Experience in developing communication strategies;
• Broad range of scientific interests;
• Experience in scientific writing and/or developing content for science communication.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 
Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

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 Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*. 

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.  

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.