ESA’s postdoctoral research fellowship programmes aim to offer young scientists and engineers the possibility of carrying out research in a variety of disciplines related to space science, space applications or space technology.
The Agency has an internal and an external fellowship programme, both for two years, with no possibility of an extension. ESA hosts approximately 20 external and 30 internal fellowships at any given time.
Who can apply
Applicants must have recently attained their doctorate or be close to successfully completing studies in space science, space applications or techniques, or other fields closely connected to space activities.
ESA fellowships are open to nationals of its Member States and Cooperating States: Member States include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Canada is a Cooperating State and Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania are European Cooperating States (PECS).
In exceptional cases fellowships are awarded to nationals from countries which are not ESA Member States, but applications must be submitted via an ESA Member State. Fellowships are undertaken either at ESA or in an ESA Member State. On occasion, rare exceptions can be made for external fellows. Proposed research projects, for both internal and external programmes, should be related to one of the disciplines listed under Areas of research.
Research fellows have worked on SMART-1
Internal Fellowship Programme
This allows internal fellows to carry out their research topic under the supervision of one or more experienced scientists or engineers. Applicants should also be able to work independently.
Successful applicants will be posted to the ESA establishment best suited to their area of specialisation.
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit the application form that is available online together with:
c.v. giving detailed description of thesis and relevant experience
list of publications, with bibliographical references
four references (not relatives)
copy of the doctorate certificate or evidence of obtaining one within four months of the application
detailed description of proposed research
A recommendation from the relevant national delegation may also be sent but is not mandatory.
All applications should be sent to:
ESTEC
c/o Human Resources Division
Keplerlaan 1
2201 AZ Noordwijk ZH
The Netherlands
There is no specific closing date and applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Please note that we can not consider incomplete applications.
Selection procedure
Applications satisfying the general conditions for eligibility will be forwarded to the relevant establishment for evaluation. Successful applicants will be invited for an interview and normally fellowships commence within one to three months of a positive decision being taken.
Financial conditions
The salary falls within a pre-determined range and varies depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. As an indication, monthly net salaries are currently:
ESTEC from €2078 to €2716
ESOC from €2075 to €2712
ESRIN from €1914 to €2501
Internal fellows may also be entitled to an expatriation allowance and/or to an installation allowance if they meet the conditions of entitlement. Removal expenses are not reimbursed.
Travel expenses
Depending on their place of recruitment, internal fellows may be reimbursed travel expenses in economy class (when travelling by air) or in first class (when travelling by train) to their duty station for themselves and, if applicable, for their spouse and any dependent children at the beginning and end of their assignment.
Social security
Internal fellows are covered by ESA’s Social Security Scheme which covers medical expenses, invalidity and death benefits. A monthly deduction covers these short-term and long-term risks.
Research fellows have worked on Mars Express
External Fellowship Programme
This programme allows fellows to work in a university, research institute or laboratory on a research topic related to the research activities of the Agency. The selection process takes place twice yearly in June and December.
Choice of host institute
Applicants should propose a relevant host institute where they will carry out their research activities. First priority should be given to European institutes ideally belonging to scientific groups working on ESA projects, with strong links to the international scientific community.
Applicants are responsible for contacting the host institute of their choice. This should be outside the applicant’s home country and not in a country where the applicant has previously worked. Occasionally research activities can be carried out in a non Member State if their are compelling arguments for this.
If required, ESRIN Human Resources Service can assist applicants by putting them in contact with ESA staff who can recommend appropriate host institutes.
How to apply
Please send in the application form that is available online together with:
CV giving detailed description of thesis and relevant experience
a detailed research plan (4-5 pages) setting out the scientific/technical aims, the methodology to be used and the reasons for the choice of host institute
a list of publications with the bibliographical references
four references (not relatives)
a photocopy of the doctorate certificate or evidence of obtaining one within four months of the application
a recommendation from the candidate’s national delegation
The application, together with accompanying documents, should be sent directly to the relevant national delegation, who will forward it to ESA, at the following address, by 31 March for the June selection and by 30 September for the December selection.
ESRIN
c/o Human Resources Service
Via Galileo Galilei
Casella Postale 64
00044 Frascati
Italy
Please note that applications received after these dates will be dealt with at the next selection; incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection procedure
Applications are first examined by the relevant ESA scientists and engineers, and then submitted to the ESA Selection Board. The Board assesses applicants’ proposals based on experience, the relevance of the proposed research topic and the suitability of the host institute. Final approval is subject to acceptance by the host institute.
Applicants are normally informed within four weeks of the Board’s decision, and successful candidates normally start their fellowship within three months.
Financial conditions
Remuneration is paid quarterly in advance in the form of a lump-sum grant; the amount of which is shown under External Fellowship payment.
Fellows may cumulate ESA stipends with occasional earnings from another source, provided that these do not include a salary from the candidate’s home organisation, or another research grant from a national or international body.
Currently national tax authorities do not tax stipends, however, if this situation should change, ESA cannot refund the tax paid. This also applies if a spouse earns a salary and tax authorities combine incomes to calculate the amount of tax to be paid. ESA is not responsible either for making tax declarations or for their payment.
Travel expenses
Travel expenses between the place of residence and the host laboratory or institute will be borne by the Agency for the fellow and spouse, if residing with him or her during the fellowship. No travel expenses are paid for a fellow’s children.
The refund of travel expenses is limited to the cost of an economy-class air ticket for continental and intercontinental travel, and does not include excess baggage. If the distance between the place of residence and the host institute is 500 km or less and does not involve a sea crossing, then reimbursement will be limited to the cost of a 1st class rail ticket. Fellows wishing to travel by private car should inform the ESRIN Human Resources Service; reimbursement will not exceed the above limits.
One journey for scientific purposes will be paid for by ESA and exceptionally, a second journey may be granted during the second year. Any other travel during the tenure of the fellowship will not be refunded.
Visas/permits
The agency does not provide support in obtaining any necessary visas or permits nor any of the associated costs.
Social security
ESA has a compulsory health, accident and life insurance scheme for all ESA fellows, even though they may be covered by another scheme. In such cases only complementary cover will be provided by the Agency and ESA and the fellow will pay 50% of the cost each. This may also be extended to the spouse and children joining the fellow under the same conditions.
Contacts with ESA
Fellows will be assigned a ‘mentor’ within ESA to supervise the progress of the fellowship and offer help when questions arise. At the end of the assignment fellows should submit a final report on the activities carried out and achievements obtained during the fellowship. In addition fellows are expected to report quarterly to ESRIN Human Resources Service and to their mentor.
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Careers_at_ESA/SEM19DXO4HD_0.html
