Internal Research Fellow in Planetary Protection - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

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:

• Develop mathematical frameworks for modelling probability of harmful contamination transfer to solar system bodies and from outer space to Earth
• Support creation of probabilistic models for planetary protection
• Liaise with European and international partners on planetary protection activities and identify knowledge gaps
• Coordinate activities for contamination modelling
• Support definition and development of mathematical frameworks for planetary protection
• Communicate with astrobiology community and provide guidance on model inputs
• Integrate data from multidisciplinary teams and establish lab test requirements for model validation
• Develop probabilistic standards, software, procedures, processes and handbooks for planetary protection

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: PhD in data or computer science, machine learning, AI, statistics, mathematics, biophysics, or bioinformatics
• Experience: Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages such as Python and general-purpose deep learning frameworks; experience with integrating multidisciplinary inputs; demonstrated ability in bridging science and engineering through collaboration with technical scientific and engineering teams; knowledge of ESA activities and priorities related to field of expertise
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Research/publication record, Ability to conduct research autonomously, Ability to gather and share relevant information, Good interpersonal and communication skills, Ability to work in multi-cultural environment independently and as part of a team, Programming in Python or similar general-purpose languages, Deep learning frameworks, Integrating multidisciplinary inputs, Bridging science and engineering

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• CV and motivation letter submission
• Research proposal submission (no more than 5 pages)
• Later stages exploring motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Internal Research Fellow.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Independent Safety Office, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Position details

Reference

1370985933

Last Verified

15 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Internal Research Fellow in Planetary Protection at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1370985933.

Job Requisition ID:20339

Date Posted:9 September 2026

Closing Date:7 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:External Only

Type of Appointment (learn more):Internal Research Fellow

Directorate:Technology, Engineering and Quality

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection will work in close cooperation with other staff of the Independent Safety Office in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Independent Safety Office is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, maintenance of ESA policies, requirements, standards and functional support to ESA projects for:

- Planetary Protection. - Space Debris Mitigation. - Nuclear Safety for applications in space. - Re-entry safety. - Human Spaceflight Safety. - Europe leads the way in sustainable and responsible space exploration, with planetary protection at the core of its efforts.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

This fellowship aims to advance the development of a risk-informed decision culture at ESA and application of probabilistic frameworks in the planetary protection domain. The overall goal is to support ESA planetary protection function on its effort to modernise current approaches with the use of new statistical models to assess biological and chemical contamination risks.

The Research Fellow in Planetary Protection primary role is to develop mathematical frameworks to be used for modelling the probability to 1) transfer harmful contamination to solar system bodies for robotic or crewed missions (or a combination of both); 2) transfer harmful contamination from outer space to Earth.

As an internal researcher, the candidate will perform research activities exploring new ways or expanding the scope of existing studies to promote the use of risk-informed decision frameworks, prediction models, AI applied to planetary protection.

Tasks include:

Support the creation of probabilistic models for planetary protection:

- Liaise with European and international partners involved in planetary protection activities, studying the current scientific data available (i.e. datamining) and identify knowledge gaps to build credible models. - Coordinate relevant activities for modelling contamination. - Support the definition and the development of mathematical frameworks for planetary protection. - Communicate to the astrobiology community and provide guidance in providing useful inputs for the model. - Integrate the data provided by multidisciplinary teams and establish the number / type of lab tests needed for model validation.

Develop new protocols, tools for planetary protection purposes:

- Develop probabilistic standards, software, procedures, processes and handbook related to planetary protection as applicable. - Provide support for ongoing missions and use past missions’ data for developing of new models. - Provide support for the preparation of future missions. - Define and advise on future requirements for probabilities of contaminating celestial bodies.

Interface with partners, knowledge management and dissemination:

- Support and represent ESA within the external scientific and technological communities. - Support and represent interests of ESA and of the planetary protection community, including organising and chairing meetings and working groups and coordinating community activities associated with probabilistic approaches and analysis. - Actively pursue personal scientific research, using facilities within ESA centres and those accessed through partnerships with external organisations. - Participate in relevant scientific associations and conferences.

Technical competencies

Knowledge relevant to the field of research

Research/publication record

Ability to conduct research autonomously

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Ability to gather and share relevant information

General interest in space and space research

Behavioural competencies

Education

You should have recently completed, or be close to completion of a PhD in a related technical or scientific discipline. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. In particular for this position, the following is required:

PhD in data or computer science, machine learning, AI, statistics, mathematics, biophysics, bioinformatics.

Additional requirements

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than 5 pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the "additional documents" field of the "application information" section.

You should have:

- Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as Python, and general-purpose deep learning frameworks. - Experience with integrating multidisciplinary inputs. - Demonstrated ability in bridging science and engineering through effective collaboration with technical scientific and engineering teams. - Knowledge of the activities and priorities of the European Space Agency related to field of expertise.

The following will be considered as assets:

- Previous experience in cleanroom operations and cleanroom contamination control and monitoring procedures - Understanding of contamination, contamination sources, and the effects of contamination on space hardware.

You should also have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Your motivation, overall professional perspective and career goals will also be explored during the later stages of the selection process.

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.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 9 September 2026, 6 days ago.

The application deadline is 7 October 2026, 20 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 15 September 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 Noordwijk see our Noordwijk 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.