Climate Applications Scientist in Doncaster

Location: ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom

Description: Climate Application Scientist specialising in satellite remote sensing of the atmosphere, leading a dedicated portfolio of projects in ESA’s Actionable Climate Information Section, Climate and Long-Term Action Division, Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

ESA’s Actionable Climate Information Section is the focal point for the Agency’s climate-related activities and is based at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT), situated on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. This ESA Section aims to increase the availability and use of global, satellite-based Earth observation data for climate-related science and decision-making.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) drives international efforts to combat climate change by limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement. In response to UNFCCC requirements for systematic monitoring of the climate system, ESA launched the Climate Change Initiative (CCI) research programme in 2008. Through CCI, ESA develops a suite of global climate data records of key components of the Earth system, known as Essential Climate Variables (ECVs). The climate quality datasets produced by CCI are a major contribution to the evidence base used to understand climate change and drive international action.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Deriving technical specifications for EO-based information, mainly relating to the atmosphere’s physical and chemical state and its interactions with the Earth’s surface.
• Establishing dialogue with specialised climate user communities, analysing their needs in terms of satellite-based observation of the climate system.
• Initiating and monitoring ESA R&D projects to respond to climate users’ needs.
• Validating the results of such developments with the relevant climate users.
• Promoting the use of EO data for supporting climate science, services and policies.
• Cooperating with internal and external partners to maximise the benefits of ESA activities.
• Contributing to the definition of ESA projects, work plans and programmes.
• Contributing to ESA’s public communications on EO.
• Supporting the work of ESA Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

Technical competencies:

• Broad experience of satellite-based remote sensing retrieval techniques.
• Experience of science project management.
• Knowledge of climate research, particularly related to the atmosphere.
• Knowledge of major international initiatives relating to Earth observation and climate research.
• Knowledge of the international atmospheric science community and associated major international scientific research collaboration initiatives.

Behavioural competencies:

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education and professional experience:

A PhD in satellite-based monitoring of atmospheric physics/chemistry is required for this post, together with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements:

• At least four years' post-PhD work experience in relevant remote sensing application development.
• A background in other Earth science domains would be an asset.
• You must be capable of working effectively in a team with minimum supervision.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Technical and computational knowledge, including in machine learning, applied to climate science would be an asset.
• You should be prepared to travel frequently in order to interact with various relevant stakeholders.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness: ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment.

Important Information and Disclaimer: Recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Nationality and Languages: Applications are only considered from nationals of specific States. The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required.