ESA Graduate Trainee in Copernicus Benefits Assessment

Our team and mission

Under the direct authority of the Director of Earth Observation programmes, the Head of the Copernicus Space Office is responsible for programmatic activities relevant to Copernicus and performs the lead role for the strategic and coordination activities related to Copernicus.

The Office acts as the formal interface with the European Commission for Copernicus, and is the interface for ESA’s Copernicus activities within and outside ESA. It ensures their coordination by the implementing departments and the oversight of the Copernicus Space Component (CSC).

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

The Copernicus Space Office has set up a Sentinel Benefits Observatory that assesses and benchmarks the impacts of ESA Copernicus activities, with the objective to inform EOP programmatic planning, provide evidence to EU and ESA Member States and to feed Copernicus advocacy strategies.

The YGT will support the Sentinel Benefits Observatory, in particular for the following tasks:

• Management of - and quality review of the outcomes from - industrial studies related to the assessment of socioeconomic impacts derived from the use of Copernicus Sentinels data, with emphasis on benefits for policy making and environmental sustainability;
• Gathering of inputs to maintain and enrich the Directorate’s interactive portfolio of cases and reasons to invest in Copernicus, through e.g. intensive desk research, (remote) attendance to relevant conferences and liaising with colleagues in ESA, the EC and other prominent Copernicus implementing actors in Europe (e.g. EEA, ECMWF, EMSA…);
• Meta-analyses and scouting of literature in order to benchmark the studies of the Office with respect to third party similar activities worldwide and to support planning for evolution Generation and validation of a Toolbox for GEO impact assessments, together with partner agencies within GEOValue such as the EARSC, USGS and NOAA;
• Organisation of meetings and events, both within ESA and externally, as part of the above activities.

Technical competencies

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

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in Environmental Engineering, Geography, Earth Sciences or Sustainable Development

Additional requirements

We are looking for young graduates with good knowledge about EO applications and their relevance for environmental policies and with a general understanding about the Copernicus programme. The ideal candidate would also be equipped with some academic background in environmental impact assessments and policy analyses. Hands-on experience with Sentinels data will be considered an asset.

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.