Young Graduate Trainee in Sentinel-1 Data Processing and On-board System Development

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands 

Copernicus is the most ambitious Earth observation program to date. It is a cornerstone of Europe’s efforts to monitor the planet and its many ecosystems. The Sentinel-1 mission as part of Copernicus enables an instantaneous mapping of wide-area surface deformation, ice sheet monitoring, and maritime surveillance among other applications. The Sentinel-1 mission embarks a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) as the primary payload and an Automatic Identification of Ships payload (AIS) for vessel detection.

You will work with the Sentinel-1 Project Team which is responsible for the development of the Sentinel- 1 C/D satellites and the Sentinel-1 Next Generation (NG) mission concept.

In 2025/2026 the Sentinel-1 C & D satellites are expected to launch and enter Phase E of the spacecraft design cycle. The Sentinel-1 team is responsible for the satellite launch and in-orbit commissioning, involving end-to- end system performance verification and calibration. This also involves the development of the prototype SAR and SAR interferometry (InSAR) data processors, AIS processors and the Calibration and Performance Analysis Facility (CPAF).

Sentinel-1 Next-Generation (NG) is the successor of the Earth Observation Copernicus Sentinel-1 SAR mission. The goal of Sentinel-1NG is to provide a long-term continuity of C-band SAR observations beyond the next decade (2030) in support of operational Copernicus services that are routinely using Sentinel-1 data. The enhanced capabilities of Sentinel-1NG, compared to Sentinel-1, along with novel imaging capabilities enable the further development and improvement of operational applications.

https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-1
http://www.un-spider.org/news-and-events/news/sentinel-1-mission-makes-use-insar-track-land- deformation
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Sentinel- 1_provides_new_insight_into_Italy_s_earthquake

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

You will be involved with the two tasks outlined below related to (1) the Sentinel-1 C/D commissioning and (2) Sentinel-1 Next-generation.

Task 1: Sentinel-1 C/D Commissioning Data Processing

You will be involved with the preparation for launch and commissioning of the Sentinel-1 C satellite. During the launch and commissioning all spacecraft sub-systems will be activated and tested. 

In the commissioning phase the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Automated Identification of Ships (AIS) instrument performance will be determined though specific data acquisition scenarios.

You will specifically be involved in the following activities:

• Processing of the downlinked AIS and SAR data products from Sentinel-1 C using the Calibration and Performance Analysis Facility (CPAF);
• Development of new visualization methods and tools for the combined SAR and AIS data products;
• Research state-of-the-art-data fusion algorithms for the SAR & AIS products;
• Exploration of novel application areas for the use of the combined AIS and SAR data products;
• Investigate experimental multi-channel SAR data processing methods.

Task 2: Sentinel-1 Next-Generation On-board Processing Systems

This improvement of the Sentinel-1NG imaging capabilities over the performance currently achievable with Sentinel-1 is possible by employing a multi-channel SAR system architecture that enables novel techniques, such as SCORE (Scan On Receive) and MAPS (Multiple Azimuth Phases). The new multi-channel SAR system entails an increased demand on the data downlink.

One method to improve the satellite data throughput and latency is through the implementation of on-board processing systems.

You will specifically carry out the following activities:

• Propose novel on-board data processing applications and perform a trade-off analysis for their implementation on Sentinel-1 NG;
• Assess the feasibility to perform SAR & AIS ship detection and correlation on-board Sentinel-1 NG to ensure wide area coverage and low data latency;
• Define cognitive systems (e.g. in-orbit SAR & AIS data compression) applicable to the Sentinel-1 Next Generation system;
• Develop processing algorithms for Sentinel-1NG that exploits the multi-channel SAR data. For example, to perform Along Track Interferometry (ATI), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) mitigation and SAR Calibration.

The two tasks are related in the sense that the development of novel processing algorithms and applications for Sentinel-1 C/D will be applicable to design decisions for the Sentinel-1 Next Generation Mission. The two tasks are expected to be carried out in parallel.

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

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

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Communication Systems or Remote Sensing

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

You should also have:

• Specific competence in one or more of the following disciplines shall be considered an asset:
• SAR remote sensing
• Automatic Identification System (AIS) data processing and technologies
• Wireless communication
• Familiarity with development of data analysis software tools using, e.g., Python, MATLAB or C

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.

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

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework .

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme andFAQ Young Graduate Programme

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 email [email protected] .

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as  Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to candidates from under-represented Member States *. 

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.