Science Operations Scientist

Welcome to SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation), the perfect workplace for those passionate about technology in general and space in particular.

With space organizations, research institutes, institutional and commercial actors as customers, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, space consulting services, rocket and balloon systems, flight test services, satellite propulsion systems, and much more.

SSC Space also has one of the world’s largest global networks of ground stations for satellite communications. We own and operate the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden, with the aim of launching satellites in the near future.

Are you fueled by a passion for people and the ambition to create an awesome workplace? Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with us to help earth benefit from space?

If you answer yes to these questions, we invite you to seize the opportunity to make a significant impact. We are looking for a dedicated professional who shares our core values of Customer passion, Care, Collaboration, Curiosity, and Courage.

Specific qualification requirements

• A PhD in Planetary Science or a related discipline (e.g., Astronomy, Physics).
• Active researcher in planetary science.
• Familiarity with the science community and expertise in a field relevant for the mission(s).
• Connected and with good reputation in the planetary science community, with which s/he will have to interact regularly.
• Experience in coordinating internal/external stakeholders on scientific projects.
• Experience in science operations for planetary missions or expertise in space instrumentation.
• Good planning and organisation skills, team spirit and ability to work in an international environment.
• Proficiency with at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python).
• Be fluent in spoken and written English.
• Good communication skills.
• Good team working skills.

Legal and Security Requirements

• All applicants must be legally allowed to work in Spain without the need to obtain a work visa. Only European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and SWISS citizens can be employed by SSC Space in Spain.
• Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. SSC Space will validate the Degree with the issuing University.
• In line with ESA’s security requirements, prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to SSC Space a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident, and SSC Space will validate your employment history.

Overview

As Science Operations Scientist you will be assigned to one or two ESA Planetary missions. We currently support the JUICE, Bepi Colombo, Exo Mars Trace Gas Orbiter, EnVision, Mars Express, Hera, and M-Matisse missions. You will join the SSC Space Service team supporting the Science Operation Centres (SOC) which are responsible for the Science Operations of the Missions.

As part of the service, the following main tasks will have to be carried out:

• Support to strategic science planning.
• Support to long term science planning.
• Definition and maintenance of instruments observations.
• Scientific and operational monitoring of science operation scenarios.
• Quick-look analysis. Definition of use cases and testing.
• Coverage analysis of science observations.
• Specification of requirements, design, development, testing, validation of any scripts and software required to support each task.

You will be the SOC contact point for several instrument teams in all operational matters, making sure that the instrument science planning, calibration, and quick-look requirements are properly formulated and understood.

In addition, you will contribute…