Internal Research Fellow (Postdoc) in Radiation Effects Engineering of Microelectronics - 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:

• Prepare radiation test campaigns on complex microelectronics
• Develop test set-ups for radiation testing
• Conduct data analysis of radiation test results
• Focus on single-event effects on complex semiconductor devices
• Develop best industrial practices for radiation testing and engineering for radiation mitigation
• Conduct theoretical research complemented by irradiation sources
• Work with Co-60, Cf-252, pulsed laser testing, heavy ion and proton accelerators

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: PhD in microelectronics and radiation effects (recently completed within five years or close to completion); Master's degree or equivalent qualification in electrical/electronic engineering or solid-state physics
• Experience: Substantial experience in the field of radiation effects on semiconductor components and all aspects of irradiation testing; experience with SEE rate prediction tools; knowledge of the space environment
• Languages: English (implied…)
• Key skills: SEE rate prediction tools, Device physics simulation tools, Modern programming techniques, Modelling and simulation of radiation effects on complex semiconductor components, Software engineering practices, Ability to conduct research autonomously, Ability to gather and share relevant information, Good interpersonal and communication skills, Ability to work in multi-cultural environment

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• CV and motivation letter submission
• Research proposal submission (maximum five pages)
• Interview exploring motivation and professional perspective/career goals

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Not stated.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Radiation and Component Reliability Section (TEC-EDR) and Microelectronics Section (TEC-EDM), Avionics and EEE Division….

Position details

Reference

1438082433

Last Verified

21 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Internal Research Fellow (Postdoc) in Radiation Effects Engineering of Microelectronics at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1438082433.

Job Requisition ID:20884

Date Posted:17 September 2026

Closing Date:15 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 Radiation and Component Reliability Section (TEC-EDR) and the Microelectronics Section (TEC-EDM) are part of the Avionics and EEE Division (TEC-ED) in the Electrical Department (TEC-E).

Their main area of responsibility is to provide direct and indirect engineering support to ESA projects and European industry in the fields of EEE component radiation effects and reliability assessment. The activities of the Section are strongly laboratory-oriented, and TEC-EDR is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Electrical Components Laboratory. The laboratory has state-of-the-art facilities for the simulation of space environment conditions, such as temperature, shock, vibration and radiation, as well as instruments to characterise the electrical performance, materials and workmanship of electronic components.

The TEC-EDR Section provides quality and engineering support to all ESA projects and development programmes in the area of radiation and component reliability.

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

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

Growing mission complexity, the need for European sovereignty, and increasing demand for speed, data capacity, and artificial intelligence require research into radiation effects engineering of complex microelectronics. Advanced high-performance devices used in space applications are usually not radiation-hardened and thus require dedicated test campaigns and complex radiation analysis.

The research activity relates to the preparation of radiation test campaigns on complex microelectronics, including developing test set-ups and subsequent data analysis, with emphasis on single-event effects on complex semiconductor devices such as field programmable gate arrays, advanced synchronous dynamic random-access memories, microprocessors and system-on-chip devices. The research will focus on the development of best industrial practices for the radiation testing and engineering for radiation mitigation of complex microelectronics.

The theoretical research will be complemented by using irradiation sources available at ESTEC (Co-60, Cf-252 and pulsed laser testing) and heavy ion and proton accelerators available in Europe.

The research will be carried out with support from other Sections in the Division, offering an opportunity to work in an end-to-end environment including supporting competences from colleagues working in the domains of components, microelectronics, data handling and flight software.

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 (within five years), or be close to completion of a PhD in microelectronics and radiation effects.

Additional requirements

You should have a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in electrical/electronic engineering or solid-state physics, as well as substantial experience in the field of radiation effects on semiconductor components and all aspects of irradiation testing.

You should have experience with SEE rate prediction tools and sufficient knowledge of the space environment to correctly employ such tools. You should demonstrate familiarity with device physics simulation tools; modern programming techniques; modelling and simulation of radiation effects on complex semiconductor components for radiation hardening; and software engineering practices.

Basic knowledge of component engineering and product assurance principles and modelling/simulation of radiation effects on EEE components for radiation hardening is an asset.

You should 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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

In addition to your CV and your motivation letter, please prepare a research proposal of no more than five pages. This proposal should be uploaded to the "Research Outline" field of the "Application information” when you apply.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 17 September 2026, 4 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 21 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.