Tag: ESA

Mercury Postdoc position at The Open University

This STFC-funded Research and Innovation Associate (RIA) position for a post-doctoral researcher represents an exciting four year opportunity to join a three-University project at the core of the Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) team for ESA’s BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter, whose 1-2 years orbital science mission at Mercury begins in March 2027. We anticipate a starting date between 1 June and 1 October 2026 (by mutual agreement) for this role.

MIXS will map and measure ratios and abundances of more than a dozen elements across Mercury’s surface, and in conjunction with other surface-looking instruments is expected to deliver a step-change in our understanding of Mercury’s geological history. 

The successful candidate will be based at the Open University to work with David Rothery and Mahesh Anand, but will do so in close collaboration with colleagues at Space Park Leicester, particularly Emma Bunce (MIXS Principal Investigator), Adrian Martindale (MIXS Instrument Scientist), John Bridges, and two recently-recruited RIAs. There will be opportunities to become involved in laboratory experiments to help to understand the remotely-sensed (principally XRF) properties of Mercury’s surface.

About you
You will hold a PhD in planetary science or a closely related field, with particular expertise in spacecraft data analysis, geochemistry, and/or X-ray fluorescence techniques. A strong publication record, evidence of independent research capability, and experience working within collaborative research environments are essential. Proficiency in ArcPro, Python and a solid grasp of planetary geological processes, especially those relevant to Mercury, will be key to your success in this role.

Essential:

  • PhD in planetary science or a closely related field.
  • Solid grasp of planetary geological processes, especially those relevant to Mercury.
  • The ability to present your research effectively both orally and in scientific writing.
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team, and to foster links with other teams.
  • A developing track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals.
  • Time management and project planning skills.
  • Ability and willingness to travel to partners’ locations.

Need more details?
Everything you need to know for you application can be found here.

Application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday 24th April 2026.

Internal Research Fellow (postdoc) in Planetary Protection at the European Space Agency

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Independent Safety Office in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality at ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL).

This fellowship aims to advance the development of a risk-informed decision culture at ESA and application of probabilistic frameworks in the planetary protection domain. The overall goal is to support ESA planetary protection function on its effort to modernise current approaches with the use of new statistical models to assess biological and chemical contamination risks.

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection primary role is to develop mathematical frameworks to be used for modelling the probability to 1) transfer harmful contamination to solar system bodies for robotic or crewed missions (or a combination of both); 2) transfer harmful contamination from outer space to Earth.

As an internal researcher, the candidate will perform research activities exploring new ways or expanding the scope of existing studies to promote the use of risk-informed decision frameworks, prediction models, AI applied to planetary protection.

About you
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 data or computer science, machine learning, AI, statistics, mathematics, biophysics, bioinformatics.

Need more details?
Everything you need to know for you application can be found here.

Application deadline is April 3rd 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Save the Date – ESA–NASA Omics Data Sharing Seminar

Join ESA and NASA on 11 March 2026 (16:00-18:00 CET) for a seminar on how ESA omics data are shared, curated and accessed through NASA’s Open Science Data Repository (OSDR). The session will present ESA Exploration Science activities, data access via the Human and Robotic Exploration Data Archive (HREDA), and opportunities to collaborate through OSDR Analysis Working Groups.

The seminar will have the following topics:

Welcome and introduction to ESA Exploration Science

Exploring data through Human and Robotic ExplorationData Archive (HREDA)

NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) researching space exploration

Intro into NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR)

Processing and Curation of ESA Data within NASA OSDR

Opportunities with OSDR-Analysis Working Groups

To register, please contact: Exploration-Science@esa.int

ESA Graduate Trainee positions

ESA has just announced over a 100 of their Graduate Trainee positions for 2026 in a wide variety of fields of interest for students who are in their final year of their respective Master’s programmes.

The positions are for 1 year open to persons with nationalities of any of the ESA member states, and a good entry point for those interested in future careers at ESA. Of note, hiring follows Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness standards, and priority is given to applicants from under-represented ESA member states (see job posting for further details).

The deadline for applications is 28th of February 2026.

For more information, potential applicants should consult the following websites and contact the relavent persons indicated: The full list can be found at https://jobs.esa.int/ using the keywords ‘ESA Graduate Trainee‘.

For more information about the programme, visit https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_ESA_Graduate_Trainees

Opportunities with ESA

Here are a few very relevant ESA announcements for our community:

1. Open Space Innovation Platform – OSIP – Campaign: ‪Investigating Biological and Physical Effects of Radiation” (IBPER)

 The call specifically includes Astrobiology: Exploring the potential for life in extreme environments by simulating space radiation conditions and studying its effects on microorganisms.

The schedule for the IBPER Announcement of Opportunity is as follows:

  • Release the AO – 13th January 2025
  • Letter of Intent –  13th February 2025
  • Virtual Workshop Q&A session: 24th February 2025
  • The link to the conference: Join the meeting now
  • Full proposals deadline – 23rd  March 2025

Investigator’s Workshop at the GSI site in Darmstadt- Fall 2025 (date to be announced)

2. Open call for members in the ESA Life Science Working Group or Physical Sciences Working Group

Open Space Innovation Platform – OSIP – Campaign: ‪Call for Expression of Interest to become a Member of ESA’s Life Sciences Working Group (LSWG) or ESA’s Physical Sciences Working Group (PSWG)‬

The deadline for submission of expressions of interest in response to the present Call is: 28 February 2025 at 23:59 CET

This call is open to Early Career Researchers. Interested persons are invited to contact current or past members of the LSWG (https://scispace.esa.int/working-groups/life-sciences-working-group/) and PSWG (https://scispace.esa.int/working-groups/physical-sciencesworking-group-pswg/) to know more about these committees.

3. CORA Ground-Based Facilities – SciSpacE (continuously open call)

ESA provides access to a variety of ground platforms and gives scientists an opportunity to conduct research necessary to advance knowledge relevant to the effects of space on humans and/or biological life in general, as well as on physical or material science and systems, aiming to enable space exploration.