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Join the frontier of space exploration and AI as a Research Fellow in ESA's dynamic Software Systems Division
Overview
Salary
No salary declared 😔
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Expires
Expires at anytime
Embark on an exceptional career journey with the European Space Agency's Software Systems Division, an innovative team dedicated to advancing ground and space systems through pioneering software engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. This is your opportunity to contribute to the future of space software engineering, particularly in enhancing the autonomy of spacecraft and optimizing engineering processes with cutting-edge AI applications.
- Explore new technologies for software engineering in space applications, with a focus on AI and machine learning.
- Develop and test prototype applications and proofs of concept in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
- Provide AI/ML expertise to support ESA missions and research and development activities.
- Help shape an AI/ML strategy and roadmap for space systems and processes.
- Share your research findings through publications, colloquiums, and webinars.
- Create advanced benchmark problems for R&D projects in space software engineering.
- A PhD in artificial intelligence, software engineering, or data science is required.
- Recent PhD graduates (within the past five years) are preferred.
- Experience in critical software development processes is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
- Ability to work well in a multicultural team environment and independently.
- Must be methodical, organized, and have a keen interest in space and interdisciplinary research.
- Proficiency in English or French is required; additional languages are beneficial.
The Software Systems Division deals with development techniques for ground and space systems, covers all life cycle aspects from requirements specification to development, verification, validation and maintenance. The role of the Division’s Software Technology Section is to explore the use of new technologies in these areas, with a particular focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in space software engineering.
This includes several technology areas, such as: planning techniques to increase the onboard autonomy of spacecraft, in particular in telecommunication and Earth observation constellation missions; software engineering process optimisation using artificial intelligence techniques, for example requirement engineering, verification and validation of code and documentation generation; trustworthiness of AI, including generative AI, for the verification and validation of AI-based applications, uncertainty and robustness quantification.
As a Research Fellow, you will work in a team of experienced engineers in the domain of space software and AI. You will be able to interface with experts from other engineering disciplines for applications and potential demonstrations. You will be responsible for: prototype applications, proofs of concept and related tests in the departmental laboratory facilities to assess the technologies developed. This may be in the areas of mission management or software engineering processes, covering requirement engineering, model-based software engineering and software coding and validation; providing expertise in AI and/or machine learning (ML) for the development of AI/ML systems and their applications, supporting ESA missions and projects, ESA R&D activities, or ESA working groups on AI/ML; supporting the elaboration of an AI/ML strategy for use in space systems and processes, together with an associated roadmap and risks; disseminating the results of technical reporting through peer-reviewed journal publications, colloquiums and webinars; contributing to the development of advanced benchmark problems that can serve as baseline and reference cases for various R&D projects.
A PhD in artificial intelligence, software engineering or data science is required. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates who have obtained their PhD in the past five years. You should also have: A good knowledge of critical software development processes is an asset. This position, located at the intersection between academic approaches and industrial applications, and between AI and software systems engineering, is at the core of the challenges relating to the current embedded systems. It also provides an opportunity to transition gradually from an academic context to an industrial setting. You should have good interpersonal and communication skills in order to interact with the systems engineering, AI and MBSE community and be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. A methodological approach and good organisational skills are required. You should demonstrate an interest in space, with the ability to and an interest in becoming actively involved in prospective interdisciplinary research.
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.
