Climate Applications Scientist in Harwell

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. Climate modellers use ECVs to study drivers, interactions and feedback due to climate change, as well as reservoirs, teleconnections, tipping points and fluxes of energy, water and carbon, and predict future change. The CCI also addresses the R&D required to support the UNFCCC Paris Agreement reporting requirements for signatories. Another major focus of the CCI is to connect climate observation and modelling communities through initiatives such as WCRP’s CMIP and CORDEX.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Actionable Climate Information Section, you will work to expand the availability, awareness, use and scientific impact of long-term satellite Earth observation (EO) data records for climate science and applications, with a main focus on the atmosphere, but also on other Earth system domains, as required by ESA. You will investigate and advise on the detailed scientific goals of the various international scientific and operational user communities concerned with international climate research, modelling, adaptation and mitigation activities.

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, with particular regard to the requirements of climate users, such as long-term stability, accuracy, consistency, availability, uncertainty characterisation and compatibility with climate observations from other space and non-space sources;
• Establishing dialogue with specialised climate user communities, analysing their needs in terms of satellite-based observation of the climate system and assessing their feedback on available EO-based information;
• Initiating and monitoring ESA R&D projects to respond to climate users’ needs, such as enhancing capabilities to generate satellite-based climate data records for climate monitoring, reanalysis, modelling, attribution, projection, trend assessment and data assimilation;
• Validating the results of such developments with the relevant climate users;
• Promoting the use of EO data for supporting climate science, services and policies, such as the UNFCCC Global Stocktake commitments decided upon at COP 21, Paris, in 2015;
• Cooperating with internal and external partners to maximise the benefits of ESA activities, such as maintaining links and ensuring coherence with relevant activities of ESA Member States and international partner organisations;
• 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, in particular for retrieving the physical and chemical state of the atmosphere, validating retrieved quantities, and applying them in climate science.
• Experience of science project management.
• Knowledge of climate research, in particular related to the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth’s surface.
• Knowledge of major international initiatives relating to Earth observation and climate research, such as UNFCCC, IPCC, the EU DGs, GCOS, WCRP, CEOS, CGMS and GEO, and their assessment and reporting mechanisms.
• Knowledge of the international atmospheric science community and associated major international scientific research collaboration initiatives, preferably using space-based techniques.

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 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, research, or another relevant area.
• A background in other Earth science domains, such as land, ocean or cryosphere, would be an asset.
• Particular importance will be attached to your personal scientific ability, credibility among peers, flexibility and adaptability.
• You must be capable of working effectively in a team with minimum supervision, with 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 the 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. 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.

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. 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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.