Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STScI - European Space Agency (Baltimore)

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:

• Carry out independent research in space science, space applications or space technology
• Spend up to 20% of time on scientific activities in support of ESA science-related activities
• Contribute to ESA Science Faculty research programmes and initiatives
• Supervise undergraduate or master's-level student trainees (optional)

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: PhD completed and obtained before beginning the Research Fellowship; applications from candidates who received their PhD in the past five years are preferred
• Experience: Breadth of exposure from past and/or current research/activities; research/publication record
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Knowledge relevant to the field of research, Ability to conduct research autonomously, General interest in space and space research, Ability to gather and share relevant information, Result Orientation, Operational Efficiency, Fostering Cooperation, Relationship Management, Continuous Improvement, Forward Thinking
• Eligibility: Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia (as Associate Member States), Canada (as Cooperating State), Bulgaria, Croatia, and Malta (as European Cooperating States)

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Application review by Review Committee with expertise in diverse areas
• Evaluation based on scientific excellence, proposed research feasibility and future impact, and synergies with existing ESA research activities
• Selection tests may be requested during recruitment process
• Basic screening by external background screening service for successful candidates

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Two years, with the possibility of extension for a third year.

Working arrangements: On-site at one of three locations: ESAC (Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain), ESTEC (Noordwijk, Netherlands), or STScI (Baltimore, USA).

Hiring unit: Directorate of Science (Science Engagement and Oversight Office and Science and Operations Department).

Position details

Reference

1429056133

Last Verified

27 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STScI at ESA based in Baltimore (Other). The vacancy reference is 1429056133.

Internal Research Fellow (PostDoc) in the Directorate of Science at ESTEC, ESAC or STScI

Job Requisition ID:20771

Date Posted:24 August 2026

Closing Date:21 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:External Only

Type of Appointment:Internal Research Fellow

Directorate:Science

Workplace: Villanueva de la Cañada, ES Baltimore, US Noordwijk, NL

Location

ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands or STScI, Baltimore, USA.

The opportunity

ESA’s postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career scientists and engineers the opportunity to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines relating to space science, space applications or space technology. ESA Fellowships provide a unique opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at the forefront of space science, and experience first hand how ESA works with communities across the Member States to maximise the scientific return from its missions.

Our team and mission

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and fundamental physics. Within ESA’s Directorate of Science, the Science Engagement and Oversight Office (SCI-E) and the Science and Operations Department (SCI-S) host the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to the end of operations; they develop the science operation systems for the missions and conduct the mission science operations in flight, and archive and curate the mission data during operations and beyond. The main objective is to maximise the scientific return of the missions for the benefit of humankind. SCI-E and SCI-S also support research activities, which are coordinated by the ESA Science Faculty. Research Fellows are encouraged to take leading roles in Faculty research programmes and initiatives, in close collaboration with scientific staff. The Research Fellowship programme nurtures and strengthens the links between ESA and the scientific communities in the Member States.

Research Fellows spend their time on their independent scientific research and can choose to spend up to 20% of their time on scientific activities in support of ESA science-related activities.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website (http://science.esa.int) for an overview of ESA’s Science Programme.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

We welcome all proposals for innovative research associated with one or more of our missions. For an overview of the ongoing space science research activities at the various ESA sites, and more details about the fellowships, please visit our website: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships

Interested candidates should consult these pages to identify which of the establishments offers the most relevant environment for their research. You are welcome and encouraged to contact any of the scientists working in your areas of interest.

Technical competencies

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

Knowledge relevant to the field of research

Research/publication record

Ability to conduct research autonomously

General interest in space and space research

Ability to gather and share relevant information

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

Education

You must have completed and obtained your PhD before beginning the Research Fellowship. Applications from candidates who have received their PhD in the past five years are preferred.

Additional requirements

- Cross-cultural sensitivity

Specifics

- Fellows are members of the ESA Science Faculty, which supports a wide range of research and scientific activities. Fellows are important contributors to these initiatives. More information can be found at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships - Research Fellows have no teaching obligations, but have various opportunities to supervise undergraduate or master’s-level student trainees.

The Review Committee will consist of members with expertise in a diverse range of areas. Therefore, your application should be written for a general audience of space scientists. The evaluation of your application will focus on scientific excellence, proposed research at ESA, in terms of feasibility and future impact, for example, and synergies with existing ESA research activities at the selected site. See also: Further Questions, Tips and Hints.

ESA Research Fellows are initially appointed for two years, with the possibility of extension for a third year.

Please refer to:

- Call for applications: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/space-science-faculty/opportunities/research-fellowships - ESA Careers:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Post_Docs_Research_Fellowship

Other information

Along with your application, four separate documents must be provided in the “Additional Documents” field of the ”Application Information” section using the naming convention shown in square brackets:

- Motivation letter [LastName_letter] - CV [LastName_CV] - List of publications. This must be separate from your CV. For publications that are not first-authored, please indicate the individual contribution. [LastName_publications] - A research proposal of no more than four pages. [LastName_proposal]

Furthermore, you should indicate your preferred location (ESTEC, ESAC or STScI).

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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

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.

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, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.

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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 24 August 2026, 4 days ago.

The application deadline is 21 September 2026, 23 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 27 August 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 Baltimore see our Baltimore 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.