Climate Applications Scientist in Harwell

This is a fixed‑term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Climate Application Scientist with a specialisation in land surface leading a dedicated portfolio of projects in the ESA 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), Harwell in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. The Section aims to increase the availability and use of global, satellite‑based Earth observation data for decision‑making.

The UNFCCC is driving international efforts to combat climate change by limiting the global temperature rise to well below 2 °C 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 the CCI, ESA is developing a suite of global data records of key components of the climate system, known as essential climate variables (ECVs). The climate‑quality datasets produced by the CCI are a major contribution to the evidence base used to understand climate change, which drives 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 also to 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 the WCRP, CMIP and CORDEX.

Reporting to the Head of the Actionable Climate Information Section, you will work to expand the awareness, use and scientific impact of long‑term satellite Earth observation (EO) data records for climate science and applications, with a main focus on land surface, but also for other Earth system domains. You will support 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.

• Deriving technical specifications for EO‑based information related to the land surface, terrestrial carbon and water cycles, including their interactions with the atmosphere, with specific regard to the requirements of climate users, such as long‑term stability, accuracy, consistency, availability, error‑characterisation and compatibility with climate observations from other space and non‑space sources.
• Establishing dialogue with specialised climate user communities, analysing their needs for satellite‑based observation of the climate system, assessing their feedback on available EO‑based information.
• Initiating and monitoring R&D projects to enhance ESA’s capability to generate climate data records that respond to user needs for climate monitoring, reanalysis, modelling, attribution, prediction, trend assessment and data assimilation.
• Validating the results of such developments with the corresponding climate user.
• Promoting the use of EO data for supporting the UNFCCC Global Stocktake commitments decided at COP 21 in Paris in 2015.
• Cooperating with internal and external partner organisations to transfer capabilities developed under a research and demonstration context into an operational and policy‑driven framework.
• Maintaining links and ensuring coherence with relevant activities of ESA Member States and international partner organisations.
• Contributing to the Agency’s public communications on EO.
• Supporting the work of ESA Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows.

• Experience in satellite‑based remote sensing retrieval techniques, in particular over land surfaces, and their validation.
• Demonstrable skills in science management.
• Knowledge of climate research, in particular related to the land surface, terrestrial carbon and water cycle as well as their interaction with the atmosphere.
• Knowledge of major international initiatives related to Earth Observation and climate research (e.g. UNFCCC, IPCC, EU DGs, GCOS, WCRP, CEOS, CGMS and GEO).
• Knowledge of the international scientific community in the field of land surface and associated large international scientific research collaborations, preferably using space‑based techniques.
• A PhD related to Earth System Science in general and/or the land surface, or any other appropriate scientific field is required together with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience.

• At least two years’ work experience post‑PhD in related remote‑sensing applications development, research or another relevant position.
• Particular importance will be attached to your personal scientific ability, peer credibility, flexibility and adaptability.
• You must be capable of working effectively in a team with minimum supervision, and have excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Technical and computational knowledge (including machine learning) geared to climate would be an asset.
• Interacting with the various stakeholders relevant to this position will involve a certain amount of travel; you should therefore be prepared to travel frequently.

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.

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.

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.