Young Graduate Trainee in Wide Bandgap (WBG) power components

Young Graduate Opportunity in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality

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 

The ESA Component Technology section covers Electrical, Electronic and Electromechanical (EEE) components technology with focus on components development, reliability assessment, industrialization and is responsible for the technical management of EEE components space evaluation & qualification. The work proposed in this opportunity will offer involvement in the different tasks just afore mentioned and will typically involve activities such as:

• Technology trend analysis, literature surveys, specifications development;
• Component test and test data analysis including environmental/vacuum testing;
• Development of test hardware and/or software for electrical and functional characterization;
• Reverse engineering and EEE parts physical analysis under adequate monitoring (performance of constructional analysis);
• Support to Radiation test of EEE Components on-site and at external test facilities.

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

The specific EEE component and technology area to be addressed in the frame of this traineeship opportunity cover Wide Bandgap (both GaN and SiC) power transistor technology.

Wide-bandgap transistors offer numerous benefits compared to current space qualified technologies in terms of operating temperature, voltage robustness, switching loss and total dose hardness. The aim of this activity is to develop experience in the field of wide-bandgap semiconductors by undertaking performance and package assessment of available automotive WBG power technologies in vacuum.

During this traineeship, the candidate shall:

• Carry out literature survey regarding state-of-the-art GaN and SiC power transistor performance and packaging technologies and characterisation techniques;    
• Design dedicated measurement set-ups for characterization of selected power devices;
• Define a test plan for assessing electrical performance and package robustness in vacuum of selected test components;
• Perform constructional analysis to assess the main technologies and solutions adopted in packaging processes;
• Perform test campaign according to the test plan including failure analysis. 

A final report shall be written and a final presentation organised at completion of the traineeship.

After completion of the placement, the YGT shall have gained understanding of the benefits offered by wide-bandgap semiconductors for realisation of space-based DC-DC power converters along with good knowledge of test methods important for space application.

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 Electrical Engineering or Electronics with one or more of the following specialisations: Solid State Physics, Power electronics, Semiconductor Technology, Micro-electronics, Test Engineering, Process Engineering related to EEE components and Integrated Circuits manufacturing.

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.

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.