Forest Applications Scientist

Job Requisition ID: 18987

Date Posted: 17 October 2024

Application Deadline: 7 November 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace: Frascati, IT

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Description
Forest Applications Scientist with expertise in Earth Observation (EO) forest applications in the Green Solutions Division, Climate Action, Sustainability and Science Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes

Reporting to the Head of the Applications Section, you will be responsible for defining and implementing projects supporting the development of innovative Earth Observation forest-related applications, with specific focus on open source and new technologies.

Duties
You will manage Earth Observation applications research and development projects in the context of ESA programmes, particularly for the EO Science for Society activities (weblink: https://eo4society.esa.int/).

Your duties will cover a wide range of research and development projects for forest applications to enable and facilitate international and European policies relating, for example, to biomass and carbon estimation, adaptive forest management, forest health and conditions, forest ecosystem services and carbon markets, primarily with a focus on a satellite multi-mission approach covering both optical and SAR (multi-frequency) data, considering both existing and upcoming missions such as BIOMASS and also EO commercial datasets.

Your main tasks will include:

• organising thematic consultation meetings, workshops and conferences to review state-of-the-art EO forest- related applications in both optical and SAR technology and collect new user needs and recommendations;
• engaging with existing and new user communities involved in the various domains in close coordination with colleagues from the Green Solutions Division and the wider Department;
• pioneering EO products, analytics, workflows and precursor services in relation to the wide range of forest applications and enabling international and European policies on climate, environment and sustainable development;
• maintaining a multi-mission synergy approach;
• leveraging on cloud computing environments, big data analytics and cutting-edge information technologies, and pursuing open-source algorithms and tools;
• facilitating the uptake of the developed applications by the various end-user communities, such as policy implementers, industry sectors, civil society organisations, environment agencies and financial entities, with their active involvement during the co-design, co-development and validation phases in collaboration with the Φ-lab;
• strengthening and establishing partnerships with key relevant policy stakeholders, such as the EU and the UN, and with authoritative user organisations, for example national ministries, statistical offices, local authorities and environment agencies, to contribute to the international responses to global societal challenges in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and the EU Green Deal, for example:

• demonstrating the upscaling potential of forest-related applications towards global products and to monitor dynamic processes with high temporal revisits;
• supporting the collection of evolving user needs for future EO mission applications;
• fostering communication and scientific publications on project achievements;
• supporting the preparation and definition of relevant future new ESA programme elements.

In addition, you will:

• support other activities from the Green Solutions Division and other relevant ESA EOP programmes;
• contribute to ESA communication efforts promoting EO forest-related applications results, mission
• achievements and EO benefits for society;
• supervise and support the work of Young Graduate Trainees and Research Fellows, organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment.

Technical competencies
Knowledge of scientific disciplines and remote sensing techniques for forest applications using both optical and SAR-related technology

Experience in the management of R&D projects and leadership of international scientific collaborations

Knowledge of international and European policies on forest-related matters

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

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
A master's degree in remote sensing, geophysics or relevant subjects in relation to forest applications is required for this post.

Additional requirements
At least five years of experience, and/or a PhD, in relevant remote sensing applications development and research with a multi-mission approach will be considered an asset.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

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 can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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