Head of the Human Exploration Department - European Space Agency (Porz-Wahn)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Manage the implementation of five different types of astronaut mission, including Artemis, ISS long-duration missions, EPIC, PAM and commercial missions to new stations
• Provide leadership for the implementation of crew operations, including astronaut, training and medical activities, across all ESA exploration destinations
• Provide leadership and direction for the European Astronaut Corps
• Represent ESA in the ISS Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), the Artemis Crew Operations Panel (ACOP) and their subordinate boards, working with international partners to secure high-visibility opportunities for…
• Ensure the establishment of science requirements that enable human exploration, coordinating their implementation with the various destination leads
• Lead and coordinate the LUNA and EAC Integrated Team
• Take responsibility for ESA astronaut selection
• Provide input to the Directorate and the Director General on astronaut flight assignments

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: In principle, 15 years of relevant professional experience; previous experience of managing managers and managing an entity encompassing several teams; proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team
• Key skills: In-depth knowledge of crew operations, including astronaut training, medical, in-flight and PR activities, Ability to lead international collaboration, Strong understanding of the astronaut experience, including training, long-duration spaceflight, public relations and engagement with senior political and institutional stakeholders, Ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams, Ability to anticipate problems and solve complex issues, Excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written, Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills, Ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, Ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: On-site at EAC, Cologne, Germany; mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation after approximately five years in this role.

Hiring unit: Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE), Human Exploration Department.

Position details

Reference

1456757433

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the Human Exploration Department at ESA based in Porz-Wahn (Other). The vacancy reference is 1456757433.

Job Requisition ID:21205

Date Posted:12 November 2026

Closing Date:9 December 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

Type of Appointment (learn more):4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:Human and Robotic Exploration

Location EAC, Cologne, Germany

Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working — or will live and work in the future — for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

The Head of the Human Exploration Department is responsible for the European Astronaut Corps and the Agency's cross-cutting human spaceflight activities in support of all destinations.

Duties

- Manage the implementation of five different types of astronaut mission, including Artemis, ISS long-duration missions, EPIC, PAM and commercial missions to new stations; - Provide leadership for the implementation of crew operations, including astronaut, training and medical activities, across all ESA exploration destinations; - Provide leadership and direction for the European Astronaut Corps; - Represent ESA in the ISS Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP), the Artemis Crew Operations Panel (ACOP) and their subordinate boards, working with international partners to secure high-visibility opportunities for ESA astronauts; - Ensure the establishment of science requirements that enable human exploration, coordinating their implementation with the various destination leads; - Lead and coordinate the LUNA and EAC Integrated Team; - Take responsibility for ESA astronaut selection; - Provide input to the Directorate and the Director General on astronaut flight assignments; - Oversee the implementation and verification of human spaceflight safety requirements in the design, development, operations and decommissioning of human exploration missions; - Lead the implementation of National Astronaut Missions in close coordination with the respective Member States, engaging at both operational and delegate level, up to Head of Delegation.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

In-depth knowledge of crew operations, including astronaut training, medical, in-flight and PR activities

Ability to lead international collaboration

Strong understanding of the astronaut experience, including training, long-duration spaceflight, public relations and engagement with senior political and institutional stakeholders

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with, in principle, 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

- The ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context; - The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context, as well as the ability to support others (team members, senior management and other stakeholders) in this process; - Previous experience of managing managers and managing an entity encompassing several teams.

You should also have the following:

- Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team - The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Department and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context; - The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation; - Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written; - A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces; - Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills; - The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context; - The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required and international experience would be an asset, including outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities. Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 12 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 9 December 2026, 24 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 12 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Porz-Wahn see our Porz-Wahn location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.