Research Fellowship on Atmospheric Research Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands ESA/RF-ESTEC(2016)003 Rev.1 Overview of the mission of the Mission Science Division The Mission Science Division of the Science Applications and Future Technologies Department, Earth Observations Programmes Directorate, is based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre. The Mission Science Division provides the creative vision for innovation and new discoveries in Earth system science, using Earth Observation in close cooperation with the scientific community. The Division • Bridges science and technology by translating ideas and concepts into technical reality and scientific success. It does this by defining, consolidating and managing scientific mission requirements throughout all phases of a mission, and by measuring the maturity of the resulting mission concept. • Manages scientific research-based studies, providing the scientific foundation for mission concepts and approval, supports the successful development of space and ground segment, in- orbit commissioning and in-orbit scientific achievements. • Undertakes airborne, marine and terrestrial campaigns contributing the development of new technologies, mission feasibility assessments, calibration/validation and application development. The Mission Science Division is responsible for supporting preparatory research and the development and implementation of future concepts for Earth Observation satellite missions as part of ESA's Living Planet Programme (Earth Explorers, e.g. ADM-Aeolus, CryoSat, EarthCARE, GOCE, SMOS and Swarm; Earth Watch/Copernicus, i.e. Sentinel missions; and operational Meteorological satellite missions), with the objective of achieving specific scientific goals in environmental, and climate research, and Earth system science. Overview of the Fields of Research proposed In the framework of the above the applicant can choose to be involved in one of two activities depending on the previous research experience. The suggested topics for potential research fellows are: Activity#1 - Ice Cloud Imager The sub-mm wave Ice Cloud Imager, ICI, is currently being implemented as payload of the MetOp Second Generation series of polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. The ICI’s primary objectives are to support climate monitoring and validation of ice cloud models and the parameterisation of ice clouds in weather and climate models through the provision of ice cloud products. Furthermore, technologies for the assimilation of vertically resolved clouds are presently being developed at ECMWF in the context of EarthCARE assimilation preparations. A consequent future step will be the assimilation of ICI data, in particular, given that ICI will be embarked on an operational satellite series that will support Numerical Weather Prediction. HIF-HO/Research Fellowship opportunity Request form/issue 1 01/01/2016 This Research Fellow opportunity aims at the assessment of observational data acquired through campaigns with the new ISMAR airborne instrument developed by ESA. Activity#2 – Sentinel-4 Retrieval The atmospheric mission Sentinel-4 will provide a variety of atmospheric composition products including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and aerosol characteristics but also clouds with an hourly revisit time and with a spatial resolution on the order of 10 km, over Europe. The Sentinel-4 mission aims at providing information on the diurnal variability of the tropospheric composition. The development of retrieval algorithms for the generation of the abovementioned products is currently ongoing. This Research Fellow Opportunity aims at testing of breadboard retrieval algorithms. It is foreseen that synthetic satellite data, and possibly also real measurements data from airborne and satellite sensors will be used for this purpose. The activity might also cover the exploration of alternative retrieval approaches depending on the expertise and skills of the candidate. Both activities require to work closely with the Mission Scientists involved in the preparation of the MetOp Second Generation and atmospheric Sentinel missions and requires to work across various fields of atmospheric research. Who can apply The programme is open to suitably qualified women and men. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their Ph.D. The Research Fellow Programme is open to nationals of the following states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, Slovenia as an Associate Member or Canada as a Cooperating State, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia as European Cooperating States (ECS). Required qualifications Applicants should be early career researchers and must have completed their Ph.D in a subject relevant to the work undertaken by the ESA Mission Science Division, i.e. atmospheric physics or chemistry/meteorology or environmental sciences. An educational background in physics, engineering or computer science is an asset. Familiarity with and/or experience in one or more of the following subjects is preferable: • data, visualisation, model intercomparison or data assimilation • atmospheric science in relation to satellite-based Earth Observation, • handling of large data volumes preferably those derived from satellite sensors. Applicants should have good analytical and communication skills and should be able to work in a multi-cultural environment in an autonomous manner but also in a team. Applicants must be fluent in English and/or French, the working languages of the Agency. A good proficiency in English is required. HIF-HO/Research Fellowship opportunity Request form/issue 1 01/01/2016 How to Apply Please fill in the online application form attaching to it, in one document only, your CV, your motivation letter and your research proposal. Candidates must also arrange for up to three letters of reference to be sent by e-mail, before the deadline, to [email protected]. The letters must be sent by the referees themselves. The candidate’s name must be mentioned in the subject of the email. Applications satisfying the general conditions for eligibility, to be submitted by 25 April 2017 will be evaluated and successful applicants will be invited for an interview. Interested candidates are highly encouraged to visit the ESA website: www.esa.int. HIF-HO/Research Fellowship opportunity Request form/issue 1 01/01/2016 .