Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in Chemical Propulsion Engineering

Overview

Apply for a research fellowship in propulsion engineering

You have:

• PhD in engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or chemistry.
• Experience of working in a laboratory environment.
• Good understanding of electrochemistry.
• Basic knowledge of state-of-the-art spacecraft propulsion subsystems and equipment.
• Good knowledge of either English or French; knowledge of another Member State language is an asset.
• Preference for candidates who received their PhD within the past five years.

Internal Research Fellowship Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. For this purpose, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified F2 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Propulsion Engineering Section (TEC-MPC) has the following tasks:

• Provide technical support and consultancy in launcher propulsion (liquid propulsion, including storable and cryogenic technologies, and solid propulsion) and spacecraft propulsion (various chemical propulsion technologies) to the Agency project teams responsible for developing launchers and spacecraft, throughout all project phases.
• Contribute to the preparation of work plans in the areas of launcher and spacecraft propulsion in the Agency’s technological programmes, with a particular contribution expected on systems and new propulsion aspects.
• Prepare and manage, from a technical perspective, ESA contracts for studies, experimental investigations and engineering development activities in space propulsion.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Water electrolysis propulsion (WEP) is a novel type of spacecraft propulsion where water is loaded in its liquid state. In orbit, the water is split into oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis, when needed. The two gases are then used to operate conventional thrusters. In the search for non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and generally non-hazardous replacements of hydrazine, water is the ultimate green propellant.

A test setup for WEP development testing in the propulsion laboratory at ESTEC has been commissioned for electrolyser characterisation tests in ambient conditions, as well as Hall Effect Thruster tests in a vacuum chamber. An expansion of the existing facility is planned to include the characterisation of electrolysers under pressurised conditions, as well as hot fire testing with a gaseous hydrogen/oxygen thruster in a dedicated chemical propulsion laboratory, which is to be set up in the course of 2025.

The current and future test facilities can accommodate experimentation and concept validation of various aspects of water electrolysis propulsion systems. Planning, conducting and evaluating tests, as well as publishing the results are essential parts of this Research Fellow position.

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 completing a PhD in engineering, aerospace engineering, physics or chemistry.

Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates who have received their PhD within the past five years.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• experience of working in a laboratory environment. • a good understanding of electrochemistry. • basic knowledge of state-of-the-art spacecraft propulsion subsystems and equipment.

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.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information on the Internal Research Fellowship Programme please visit: Internal Research Fellowship

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please add your proposal of no more than 5 pages outlining your proposed research in the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.

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 at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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 candidates from under-represented Member States*.

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.esa.int